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underwater landslides

Underwater landslides occur when large amounts of sediment, rock, or debris on the ocean floor become unstable and suddenly move downslope. This can happen due to factors like earthquakes, rapid sediment buildup, or changes in water pressure. These movements can displace vast volumes of water, potentially generating tsunamis. They often happen slowly over time but can also be triggered suddenly, causing significant changes to seabed landscapes and impacting submarine infrastructure. Underwater landslides are important to study because of their potential to cause natural hazards and shape ocean geology over time.