In order to assess the risks associated with a natural hazard, it is necessary that as full an understanding as possible is available about the mechanisms associated with it. This paper considers how physical modelling may be used to study the mechanisms associated with natural hazards that have direct
geotechnical implications. Physical modelling may be conducted to understand trigger mechanisms as well
as the mechanisms they initiate, and this knowledge may be used to inform the processes of geotechnical
risk assessment. Close control over material properties and well defined boundary conditions in physical
models enable repeatability that permits parametric studies to be conducted. Physical model testing can
also be used to validate analytical and numerical methods and assess techniques for hazard reduction or
rehabilitation. Examples of physical modelling studies to obtain a greater understanding of the mechanisms
associated with sliding slopes, earthquake surface fault rupture and slope instabilities due to climate
change driven permafrost degradation are presented and the current state-of-the-art assessed