what is a landslides
A land slide is when dirt, soil, or rocks fall off a slope or hill. Landslides are more likely to happen where the slope is steep. A landslide also occurs when rock, debris or earth moves down a slope. There are different types of landslides: flow, topple and slump
what types of landslides are there?
Landslides can be categorized as flows, topple, slump/slide, creep and fall:
flow
A flow is often referred to as a mudslide as it has high water content which turns the earth into a slurry causing instability and detachment. they can be very destructive and move rapidly.
topple
A topple is caused when earth or rock breaks off at a weak juncture and topples over descending rapidly down a slope, usually in a falling, bouncing or rolling motion.
slump and slide
A slump or slide occurs when a large section of the earth slides down a slope, usually at a moderate rate of movement. they are commonly triggered when the bottom part of a slope is cut or eroded away.
creep
A creep is slow but steady downward motion of the earth.
fall
When rock, debris falls down a slope at an extremely rapid rate often with a period of free-fall. a good example is a rock fall.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS for A LANDSLIDE?
There are many warning signs for a landslide and these are:
(a)the tilting and curving of trees, fences and walls, split tree trunks and exposed roots especially after intense rainfall;
(b)where there has already been some movement on a slope such as falling rocks or movement of wet dirt – there could be more to come;
(c)where there has been destruction to vegetation through, for example, bushfire or construction works – the destruction can damage the underlying root system and with it, the underlying stability of the surrounding earth;
(d)where natural water ways have been diverted or channelled in a way that could cause weakness to a slope resulting a landslide or mudslide;
(e)where there is rumbling noise this could mean that a fast moving landslide has been triggered.
(a)the tilting and curving of trees, fences and walls, split tree trunks and exposed roots especially after intense rainfall;
(b)where there has already been some movement on a slope such as falling rocks or movement of wet dirt – there could be more to come;
(c)where there has been destruction to vegetation through, for example, bushfire or construction works – the destruction can damage the underlying root system and with it, the underlying stability of the surrounding earth;
(d)where natural water ways have been diverted or channelled in a way that could cause weakness to a slope resulting a landslide or mudslide;
(e)where there is rumbling noise this could mean that a fast moving landslide has been triggered.
What do you do if a landslide occurs?
If a landslide occurs, you should immediately evacuate the area. This could mean leaving your house or the building that you are in. It could also mean moving to a higher ground away from the bottom of a slope.
If you think a landslide could occur, you should contact the police, council or the relevant public works department. There may be times where a geologist may need to be consulted to determine the risk of occurrence.
If you think a landslide could occur, you should contact the police, council or the relevant public works department. There may be times where a geologist may need to be consulted to determine the risk of occurrence.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF A LANDSLIDE?
There are many possible effects of a landslide. A landslide can cause devastation to the surrounding landscape - vegetation, natural waterways and agriculture can be destroyed.
Landslides can also cause devastation to buildings, bridges and roads. Landslides can even kill people and wildlife.
Serious landslides can ruin communities by destroying the community's agriculture, source of water supply, buildings and even the people.
Landslides can also cause devastation to buildings, bridges and roads. Landslides can even kill people and wildlife.
Serious landslides can ruin communities by destroying the community's agriculture, source of water supply, buildings and even the people.