What is a Landslide?
A landslide, sometimes known as landslip, slope failure or slump, is an uncontrollable downhill
flow of rock, earth, debris or the combination of the three. Landslides stem from the failure of
materials making up the hill slopes and are beefed up by the force of gravity. When the ground
becomes saturated, it can become unstable, losing its equilibrium in the long run. That’s when a
landslide breaks loose. When people are living down these hills or mountains, it’s usually just a
matter of time before disaster happens.
Causes of Landslides
While landslides are considered naturally occurring disasters, human-induced changes in
the environment have recently caused their upsurge. Although the causes of landslides are wide
ranging, they have 2 aspects in common; they are driven by forces of gravity and result from
failure of soil and rock materials that constitute the hill slope:
Natural Causes of Landslides
1. Climate
Long-term climatic changes can significantly impact soil stability. A general reduction
in precipitation leads to lowering of water table and reduction in overall weight of soil mass,
reduced solution of materials and less powerful freeze-thaw activity. A significant upsurge in
precipitation or ground saturation would dramatically increase the level of ground water. When
sloped areas are completely saturated with water, landslides can occur. If there is absence of
mechanical root support, the soils start to run off.
2. Earthquakes
Seismic activities have, for a long time, contributed to landslides across the globe. Any moment
tectonic plates move, the soil covering them also moves along. When earthquakes strike areas with
steep slopes, on numerous occasions, the soil slips leading to landslides. In addition, ashen debris
flows instigated by earthquakes could also cause mass soil movement.
3. Weathering
Weathering is the natural procedure of rock deterioration that leads to weak, landslide-susceptive
materials. Weathering is brought about by the chemical action of water, air, plants and bacteria.
When the rocks are weak enough, they slip away causing landslides.
4. Erosion
Erosion caused by sporadic running water such as streams, rivers, wind, currents, ice and waves
wipe out latent and lateral slope support enabling landslides to occur easily.
5. Volcanoes
Volcanic eruptions can trigger landslides. If an eruption occurs in a wet condition, the soil will
start to move downhill instigating a landslide. Stratovolcano is a typical example of volcano
responsible for most landslides across the globe.
6. Forest fires
Forest fires instigate soil erosion and bring about floods, which might lead to landslides
7. Gravity
Steeper slopes coupled with gravitational force can trigger a massive landslide.
Human causes of landslides
1. Mining
Mining activities that utilize blasting techniques contribute mightily to landslides. Vibrations
emanating from the blasts can weaken soils in other areas susceptible to landslides. The weakening
of soil means a landslide can occur anytime.
2. Clear cutting
Clear cutting is a technique of timber harvesting that eliminates all old trees from the area. This
technique is dangerous since it decimates the existing mechanical root structure of the area.
Effects of Landslides
1. Lead to economic decline
Landslides have been verified to result in destruction of property. If the landslide is significant, it
could drain the economy of the region or country. After a landslide, the area affected normally
undergoes rehabilitation. This rehabilitation involves massive capital outlay. For example, the
1983 landslide at Utah in the United States resulted in rehabilitation cost of about $500 million.
The annual loss as a result of landslides in U.S. stands at an estimated $1.5 billion.
2. Decimation of infrastructure
The force flow of mud, debris, and rocks as a result of a landslide can cause serious damage to
property. Infrastructure such as roads, railways, leisure destinations, buildings and communication
systems can be decimated by a single landslide.
3. Loss of life
Communities living at the foot of hills and mountains are at a greater risk of death by landslides.
A substantial landslide carries along huge rocks, heavy debris and heavy soil with it. This kind of
landslide has the capacity to kills lots of people on impact. For instance, Landslides in the UK that
happened a few years ago caused rotation of debris that destroyed a school and killed over 144
people including 116 school children aged between 7 and 10 years. In a separate event, NBC News
reported a death toll of 21 people in the March 22, 2014, landslide in Oso, Washington.
4. Affects beauty of landscapes
The erosion left behind by landslides leaves behind rugged landscapes that are unsightly. The pile
of soil, rock and debris downhill can cover land utilized by the community for agricultural or
social purposes.
5. Impacts river ecosystems
The soil, debris, and rock sliding downhill can find way into rivers and block their natural flow.
Many river habitats like fish can die due to interference of natural flow of water. Communities
depending on the river water for household activities and irrigation will suffer if flow of water is
blocked.
Types of Landslides
Falls
Falls are sudden movements of loads of soil, debris, and rock that break away from slopes and
cliffs. Falls landslides occur as a result of mechanical weathering, earthquakes, and force of
gravity.
Slides
This is a kind of mass movement whereby the sliding material breakaways from underlying stable
material. The kinds of slides experienced during this type of landslide include rotational and
transitional. Rotational slides are sometimes known as slumps since they move with rotation.
Transitional slides consist of a planer or 2 dimensional surface of rupture. They involve landslide
mass movement following a roughly planar surface with reduced rotation or backward slanting.
Slides occur when the toe of the slope is undercut. They move moderately, and the consistency of
material is maintained.
Topples
Topple landslides occur when the topple fails. Topple failure encompasses the forward spinning
and movement of huge masses of rock, debris, and earth from a slope. This type of slope failure
takes place around an axis near or at the bottom of the block of rock. A topple landslide mostly
lead to formation of a debris cone below the slope. This pile of debris is known as a Talus cone.
Spreads
They are commonly known as lateral spreads and takes place on gentle terrains via lateral
extension followed by tensile fractures.
Flows
This type of landslide is categorized into five; earth flows, debris avalanche, debris flow,
mudflows, and creep, which include seasonal, continuous and progressive. Flows are further
subcategorized depending upon the geological material, for example, earth, debris, and bedrock.
The most prevalent occurring landslides are rock falls and debris flow.
