# AI advises terracing a steep slope to prevent landslides (increases water infiltration and slope instability)

- **ID:** `disaster/landslide-slope-terracing-myth`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** data_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 75%

## Root Cause

Terracing on steep slopes without proper drainage and geotechnical engineering can increase water infiltration, saturate soil, and trigger landslides rather than preventing them.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| N/A | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Install French drains or horizontal drains to intercept subsurface water before it saturates the slope. Example: use a trenched gravel drain with perforated pipe at 2m depth along the slope contour.** (80% success)
   ```
   Install French drains or horizontal drains to intercept subsurface water before it saturates the slope. Example: use a trenched gravel drain with perforated pipe at 2m depth along the slope contour.
   ```
2. **Apply shotcrete or soil nailing with geotextile reinforcement to stabilize the slope surface and reduce erosion.** (85% success)
   ```
   Apply shotcrete or soil nailing with geotextile reinforcement to stabilize the slope surface and reduce erosion.
   ```
3. **Consult a geotechnical engineer for site-specific slope stability analysis before any terracing or landscaping.** (90% success)
   ```
   Consult a geotechnical engineer for site-specific slope stability analysis before any terracing or landscaping.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Retaining walls without weep holes or drainage aggregate will fail under hydrostatic pressure during heavy rain (70% fail)
- **** — Deep roots can create preferential flow paths for water, increasing pore pressure and reducing shear strength (50% fail)
- **** — Additional weight increases driving forces without proportional increase in resisting forces on steep slopes (60% fail)