This paper has discussed and analyzed some significant ways to quickly find the root course of landslides on slopes, especially on shallow artificial slopes. Many mechanisms that trigger ground movement leading to landslides in slopes are discussed here. The general idea was to study the occurrence of slips on a modified slope under certain environmental conditions for a specific duration and develop a simple framework that can help to identify landslides' causative factors subjectively. This whole idea was to help locals and other experts easily identify the triggering mechanisms of landslides to reveal the possible time when the slides will occur and control their impact. Furthermore, a framework was developed to help us understand the critical factors leading to shallow landslides on modified slopes. Establishing the mechanism that triggers landslides in an area helps greatly identify the landslides-prone locations, especially for the locals living in high-risk areas. The research also presented significant forms of landslides with their presumed causes. Although the general causes of landslides are not limited to what was presented in this text, the environment is the main factor deciding the nature and extent of landslides in an area. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.