The Italian village being torn in two by a landslide no-one can stop

In Ponzano, a small hamlet in central Italy, a landslide is slowly tearing the ground in two, moving at a rate of about one metre a day but unstoppable, according to the experts.

Photos from the area show the extent of the damage to the landscape of the hillside village, and to homes in the area.

The landslide was caused due to a combination of factors: the series of earthquakes which have been rocking the region for months, and extreme weather in January which saw heavy snowfall.

Over 100 people have been evacuated from their homes in the town.

Several buildings have collapsed or been badly damaged, and the village's mayor told The Local that it was unlikely that buildings in the affected area would ever be inhabitable again.

Although the landslide is moving slowly, experts from the National Research Council have said there is nothing they can do to stop it.