Themes of the Day:

• Mass Wasting - Chapter 8

Mass Wasting - Chapter 8

• Gravity vs. Friction
• Factors controlling Mass Wasting:
  • steepness of slope - Angle of Repose
  • presence and amount of fluids - e.g., sand castles
  • orientation of planes of weakness
  • amount and type of loose material (debris)
  • Climatic factors: (ice, water, precipitation, etc.)
  • Vegetation (fires)
• Triggering Mechanisms
  • Heavy Precipitation
  • Earthquakes - e.g., Turnagain Heights, Alaska, Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska
  • Volcanoes
  • Human Activities
• Types of Mass Wasting
  • Flows - fluid movement
  • Slides - down slope movement of coherent units
  • Falls - rapid free-fall of blocks
• Mitigation - drainage, vegetation, engineering, avoid steep slopes
• USGS Landslides Hazards Program

Mass Wasting Slideshow - Chapter 8