What is a Landslide?

Landslides are a type of mass movement. They display many similar features. Some helpful definitions: crown - area of the slope above the slide, usually characterized by cracks where the slope below it started pulling away scarp - the scarred area around the slide, where the slide pulled away from the undisturbed ground of the slope main body - the material that was displaced during movement between the main scarp (top of the slide) and the toe toe - the bottom of the slide, where the material that fell downslope ended up In landslides, the movement typically occurs along one distinct corridor where the slope fails. Slopes are usually stable because the individual rocks and soil grains are held in place by friction. When something lowers the friction, such as water getting between the grains, the slope becomes less stable. At some point, friction is no longer able to hold the soil and/or rocks together, and the slope fails.

geology.com

BACK                    MENU                    NEXT