What is a landslide?
A non-specific term covering a wide range of processes that result in downwards or outward movement of slope forming materials
Landslides can occur due to various factors and can lead to significant environmental impacts.
What are the variables involved in a landslide?
- Driving force (gravity)
- Gradient (slope angle dependent on material)
- Material
- Size of area
- Type of movement
- Velocity
Velocity can vary, with some landslides moving slowly for thousands of years while others are sudden and fast.
True or false: Landslide material is stable.
FALSE
Landslide material is unstable and can lead to further issues such as river damming and flooding.
What is the yearly cost of damage caused by landslides in the UK?
10 million pounds
This figure is increasing due to climate change and destructive events.
What impacts do landslides have in the UK? List at least three.
- Destruction of properties
- Loss of agricultural land
- Loss of precious historical landmarks
- Threat to popular coastal paths
- Threat to key infrastructure
Landslides can have severe consequences on both the environment and human structures.
What is mass movement?
Mass wasting is a natural phenomenon by which rock, soil, and/or debris move downwards due to the action of gravity
Movement can change forms, such as from rockslide to mudflow, if it interacts with water.
What is the significance of studying landslides?
- Globally kill 14,000 people every year
- Over 6 billion euros a year of damage in industrialized countries
Understanding landslides is crucial for disaster prevention and mitigation.
What is a runout in the context of landslides?
The distance the landslide moves from the source to the end point of its deposit
Runout can vary significantly depending on the type of landslide.
Describe the Folkestone Warren case.
- Movement since the 1800s
- Large collapse in 1915
- Catastrophic impacts to a railway
- Recent movements caused damage to the railway
This case illustrates the long-term effects of landslides on infrastructure.
What happened in Huascaran, Peru?
- 18,000+ dead at once
- Very long runout time
- Huge scar expansion over time, stretching almost 10km
This event is among the deadliest landslides recorded.
What can signs of a landslide indicate?
Signs of landslide/mini slide can occur in weeks before
Early detection of these signs is crucial for safety and prevention.
