 |
|
 |
landslides
|
Below is one of our free research papers on landslides. If the term paper below is not exactly what you're looking for, you can search our essay database for other topics.
- Natural Disasters -
Landslides Word Count: 1130 A landslide is the movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They result from the failure of the materials which make up the hill slope and are driven by the force of gravity. Landslides are known also as landslips, slumps or slope failure. Some of the most common types of landslide in Australia are earth slides, rock falls and debris flows. The movement of landslide material can vary from abrupt collapses to slow gradual slides and at rates which range from almost undetectable to extremely rapid. Sudden and rapid events are the most dangerous because of a lack of warning and the speed at which material can travel down the slope as well as the force of its resulting impact. Extremely slow landslides might move only millimeters or centimeters a year and can be active over many years. Although this type of landslide is not a threat to people they can cause considerable damage to property. Example of areas in Australia which are known landslide prone locations include: • Coastal cliffs; • The Great Dividing Range along the east coast; the Strezelecki and Otway Ranges in southern Victoria; the Mt Lofty Ranges near Adelaide in South Australia; south-east Queensland; • The Mt Wellington, Tamar Valley and north-west coast of Tasmania • The New South Wales and Victorian Alpine regions Landslides can be triggered by natural causes or by human activity. They range from a ...
|
Submitted by: zoiegeorge
Date Submitted: 12-14-09 6:32pm Category: Miscellaneous Words: 1130 Pages: 4.52 |