
1. They happen with little to no notice, giving people in the area minimal time to react
2. They can range from small rocks to massive boulders weighing several tons
3. They often occur in areas frequented by hikers, climbers, or on roads that pass through mountainous terrain
Causes of unexpected rockfalls include:
- Freeze-thaw cycles that crack rocks over time
- Heavy rainfall loosening rocks and soil
- Earthquakes or vibrations from nearby construction
- Erosion gradually undermining supporting structures
- Root growth from vegetation widening cracks in rock faces
These events can be particularly dangerous because, unlike planned rockfalls that might occur during controlled demolition or construction projects, unexpected rockfalls have no safety measures in place to protect people in the vicinity.