landslide
)
Types of landslide. A mudflow is a tongue of mud that slides downhill. A slump is a fall of a large mass that stays together after the fall. A landslip occurs when beds of rock move along a lower bed.
Sudden downward movement (see mass movement) of a mass of soil or rocks from a cliff or steep slope. Landslides happen when a slope becomes unstable, usually because the base has been undercut or because materials within the mass have become wet and slippery.
A mudflow happens when soil or loose material is soaked so that it no longer adheres to the slope; it forms a tongue of mud that reaches downhill from a semicircular hollow. A slump occurs when the material stays together as a large mass, or several smaller masses, and these may form a tilted steplike structure as they slide. A landslip is formed when beds of rock dipping towards a cliff slide along a lower bed. Earthquakes may precipitate landslides.
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|
?Sign in  |
|---|