Other Related

Geological Hazard
 OBJECTIVES

1. Discusses the different geological hazards;

2. Analyzes the causes of geological hazards;
3. Recognizes signs of impending geological
hazards
•
 Landslide
• It is the mass movement of rocks, debris, and
soil down a slope of land.
 Natural causes of Landslides

• 1. Earthquakes: Seismic activities have always

been a main cause of landslides throughout
the world. Any time plate tectonics move the
soil that covers them moves with it. When
earthquakes occur on areas with steep slopes,
many times the soil slips causing landslides.
Furthermore, ashen debris flows caused by
earthquakes can also trigger mass movement
of soil.
2. Heavy Rainfall: When sloped areas become
completely saturated by heavy rainfall many
times landslides can occur. Without the aid of
mechanical root support the soil simply runs
off when it contains too much water.
 Human causes of Landslides
1. Clear Cutting: Method of timber harvesting
which completely removes all old growth
timber from the area. This method is
hazardous because it destroys the existing
mechanical root structure in the area.
2. Mining: Mining operations that use blasting
techniques often cause other areas that are at
the risk of sliding to slide due to vibrations
under the soil.  
 Causes of Landslide
1. The influence of gravity acting on weakened
materials that make up a sloping area of land.
While some landslides occur slowly over time
(e.g., land movement on the order of a few
meters per month), the most destructive ones
happen suddenly after a triggering event such
as heavy rainfall or an earthquake.
 Causes of Landslide
2. Water can trigger landslides because it’s
heavy and adds a lot of extra weight to the
land. The extra weight makes it more likely
that slope materials (soil, rock, etc.) will
succumb to the forces of gravity. Excessive
water is thought to be one of the most
common triggers for landslides.
 Causes of Landslide
3. Wildfires: Plants help to stabilize the soil by
holding it together like glue with their roots.
When this glue is removed, the soil loosens,
and gravity acts upon it much more easily. The
loss of vegetation after a fire makes the razed
land susceptible to slides.
 Signs of an Impending Landslide
• Springs, seeps, or saturated ground in areas that have
not typically been wet before.
• New cracks or unusual bulges in the ground, street
pavements or sidewalks.
• Soil moving away from foundations.
• Ancillary structures such as decks and patios tilting
and/or moving relative to the main house.
• Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations.
• Broken water lines and other underground utilities.
• Leaning telephone poles, trees, retaining walls or fences.
• Offset fence lines.
 Signs of an Impending Landslide
• Sunken or down-dropped road beds.
• Rapid increase in creek water levels, possibly accompanied by
increased turbidity (soil content).
• Sudden decrease in creek water levels though rain is still
falling or just recently stopped.
• Sticking doors and windows, and visible open spaces
indicating jambs and frames out of plumb.
• A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable
as the landslide nears.
• Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking
together, might indicate moving debris.
Areas that are generally prone to landslide hazards

• On existing old landslides.

• On or at the base of slopes.
• In or at the base of minor drainage hollows.
• At the base or top of an old fill slope.
• At the base or top of a steep cut slope.
• Developed hillsides where leach field septic
systems are used.
 TYPICAL ACTIVITIES THAT CAN LEAD TO
SINKHOLES
• Decline of water levels - drought, groundwater pumping
(wells, quarries, mines)
• Disturbance of the soil - digging through soil layers, soil
removal, drilling
• Point-source of water - leaking water/sewer pipes, injection
of water
• Concentration of water flow - stormwater drains, swales, etc.
• Water impoundments - basins, ponds, dams
• Heavy loads on the surface - structures, equipment
• Vibration - traffic, blasting
 Signs of an Impending Sinkhole
• Fresh cracks in the foundations of houses and
buildings
• Cracks in interior walls
• Cracks in the ground outside
• Depressions in the ground
• Trees or fence posts that tilt or fall
• Doors or windows become difficult to open or close
• Rapid appearance of a hole in the ground