CHAPTER- 5.

NATURAL HAZARD: LANDSLIDES

Dr V. Shreedhara

01-12-2021
 INTRODUCTION
• The term landslide describes downhill earth movements that
can move slowly and cause damage gradually, or move rapidly,
destroying property and taking lives suddenly and
unexpectedly. Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard
because they are widespread all over the continent.
• Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major
natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods.
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which
includes a wide range of ground movements, such as rockfalls,
deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can
occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.
• Although landslides are primarily associated with
mountainous regions, they can also occur in areas of generally
low relief.
 EARTH MOVEMENT
• Landslide is a general term for rapid down slope
movement/failure

• Mass Wasting is even more general and

includes slow movements (creep, flows…)

• Subsidence is a vertical failure usually closed

depression
Classification of Earth Movements
• All movement of land masses are referred as landslides, but differ in
many respects, therefore all types of landslides are categorized as
Earth Movements.
• These are classified as

Earth Flow Landslides Subsidence

Solifluction Debris slide or Plastic flow

slump

Creep Rock slides

collapse
Rock falls
Rapid flows
 SOLIFUCTION
• Solifuction is a downward
movement of wet soil
along the slopes under
the influence of gravity.
SOIL CREEP
• Creep is extremely slow
downward movement of dry
surfacial matter.

• Movement of the soil occurs in

regions which are subjected to
freeze-thaw conditions. The freeze
lifts the particles of soil and rocks
and when there is a thaw, the
particles are set back down, but
not in the same place as before.

• It is very important for to know

the rate of movement
• RAPID FLOWS: Rapid flow is similar to the
creep, but differ in terms of speed and depth.
It is faster.

• Creep is involved upto shallow depth (app. 1-2

m), whereas the rapid flow is involved to
greater depth (app. upto 5 m or more)
 LANDSLIDE DEFINITION
• Landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of
rock, debris or earth down the slope, when the
shear stress exceeds the shear strength of the
material.
• Landslide: refers to the downward sliding of huge
quantities of land mass
which occur along steep
slopes of hills or mountains
and may be sudden or slow
COMPONENTS OF LANDSLIDE
 LANDSLIDES
• There is a wide variety of names for the denudational process
whereby soil or rock is displaced along
the slope by mainly gravitational forces.
• “mass movement”
• “slope movement”,
• “landslide”
Landslide = “the movement of a mass of rock, debris or earth down the
slope” (Cruden, 1991).
• The occurrence of slope movements is
the consequence of a complex field of forces
(stress is a force per unit area) which is active
on a mass of rock or soil on the slope.
Movement occurs when the shear stress the shear
strength of the material. Difference with soil erosion. The consequence of these forces
in conjunction to the slope morphology and the geotechnical parameters of the
material define together the specific type of landslide which might occur.
Landslides
• If a mass of earth moves along a
definite plane or surface the failure is
termed as Landslide
• Large block known as a slump block
moves during the landslide.
• The scar above a landslide is easily
visible.
• They can occur along a slope where
the internal resistance of the rocks
are reduced or they loose their
holding capacity.
• Common after earthquakes or after
removal of part of the slope due to
construction, particularly for
construction of roads.
 LANDSLIDE
• A frequently used definition of landslide is “a movement of
mass of rock, earth or debris down a slope” (Cruden, 1991).
• They can occur on many types of terrain given the right
conditions of soil, rock, moisture condition and slope.
Integral to the natural process of earth’s surface geology,
landslides serve to redistribute soil and sediments in a
process that can be in abrupt collapses or in slow gradual
slides.
CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
The following factors can also be used and have been used to
classify landslides:
Material (rock, soil, lithology, structure, geotechnical properties);
Geomorphic attributes (weathering, slope form);
 Geometry of landslide body (depth, length, height etc.);
Type of movement (fall, slide, flow etc.);
Climate (tropical, temperate, periglacial etc.);
Water (dry, wet, saturated);
Speed of movement (very slow, slow etc.);
Triggering mechanism (earthquake, rainfall etc.).
 The most common types of landslides are described as follows
and are illustrated

13
 CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
 Classification of landslides was first formally proposed by Varnes
(1978) based on types of movement and types of material, as shown in
table.

14
 CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
• Falls: are abrupt movements of
masses of geologic materials,
Such as rocks and boulders, which
Become detached from steep slopes
or cliffs (Fig D).
• Toppling failures: are distinguished
by the forward rotation of a unit or
units about some pivotal point, below
or low in the unit, under the actions of
gravity and forces exerted by adjacent
units or by fluids in cracks (Fig E).
 CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
• Rotational slide: This is a slide in which the surface of rupture is
curved concavely upward and the slide movement is roughly
rotational about an axis that is parallel to the ground surface and
transverse across the slide (Fig A).
• Translational slide: In this type of slide, the landslide mass moves
along a roughly planar surface with little rotation or backward tilting
• Block slide: is a translational slide in which the moving mass consists
of a single unit or a few closely related units that move down slope
as a relatively coherent mass (Fig B).
• Fig.A Rotational Slide Fig. B Block Slide
 CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
 FLOWS : There are five basic categories of
flows that differ from one another in
Fundamental Ways.
• Debris flow: A debris flow is a form of rapid
mass movement in which a combination of
Loose soil, rock, organic matter, air, and
water mobilize as slurry that flows down
slope (Fig F).
 Debris avalanche: This is a variety of very
rapid to extremely rapid debris flow (Fig G).
 Earth flow: Earth flows have a characteristic
"hourglass" shape (Fig H). The slope material
liquefies and runs out, forming a bowl or
depression at the head
 Mudflow: A mudflow is an earth flow consisting
of material that is wet enough to flow rapidly
and that contains at least 50 percent sand-, silt-,
and clay-sized particles
 CLASSIFICATION OF LANDSLIDES
 Creep: is the imperceptibly slow, steady, downward movement of
slope-forming soil or rock. Movement is caused by shear stress
sufficient to produce permanent deformation, but too small to
produce shear failure. There are generally three types of creep
 Seasonal, where movement is within the depth of soil affected by
seasonal changes in soil moisture and soil temperature.
 Continuous, where shear stress continuously exceeds the strength of
the material, and
 progressive, where slopes are reaching the point of failure as other
types of mass movements.
• Creep is indicated by curved tree trunks,
bent fences or retaining walls, tilted poles
or fences, and small soil ripples or ridges
• During the movement landslide can
result into the Debris slides - are
failure of unconsolidated material
on a surface; Rock slide or Rock
Fall – where movement of large rock
block rolls

• They are also common along the

steep banks of rivers, lakes etc.

• Pore Water Pressure is the key to

monitoring landslides. Shear
strength (a resisting force)
decreases and the weight (a driving
force increases).
• Talus – accumulation formed by
the coarser rock fragments
resulted from the mechanical
weathering along a slope under
influence of gravity
 Types of landslides
Fall Topple Slide

Spread Flow

21 Landslide types and

causes
 Subsidence
• It represents the downward movement of the surface
• It may occur due to plastic outflow of the underlying strata or due to
the compaction of the underlying material
• (1) Subsidence due to Plastic outflow: It may occur when a plastic
layer like clay bed is squeezed outward due to overlying heavy load
• (2) Subsidence due to collapse: It occur due to extensive pull out of
large volume of underground water or due to subsurface solution
activity in limestone terrain.
• The Leaning Tower
of Pisa, Italy, the
tilting of which
accelerated as
groundwater was
withdrawn from
aquifers to supply
the growing city.
 ORIGIN OF LANDSLIDE
 Extensive Rainfall
• The most prominent landslide trigger is prolonged and heavy
intensity rainfall. A universal landslide survey held in 2003 revealed
that 90% of the landslides that occurred were activated by a heavy
rainfall. This is due to the enhancement of the pore water pressures
in the soil.
 Melting of Snow
• In several cold mountain places, snowmelt is frequent and may be a
vital process for the occurrence of landslides. This consequence is
particularly significant when the warm weather is supplemented by
precipitation that adds to the groundwater and increases the melt
rate.
 Rivers
• Rivers can damage the slopes, particularly during the floods that
trigger a landslide.
 ORIGIN OF LANDSLIDE
 Change in Water Level
• Fast changes in the ground water level along a slope may
trigger landslides.

 Seismic Shaking
• Earthquake waves through the rocks and earth create
accelerations that alter the gravitational forces on the
slope.

• These processes are significant in the hilly areas where

the seismic waves cause an increase in the ground
accelerations. (topographic amplification)
 CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
• LANDSLIDES OCCUR DUE OF VARIOUS REASONS
• Internal Causes:

• Influence of slope- Provides favourable condition for landslides; steeper

slope are prone to slippage of land. It is known that most of the
materials are stable upto certain angle- “Critical angle” or “angle of
repose” – it varies from 300 for unconsolidated sediments to 900 for
massive rocks and 600-900 for partially jointed rocks.

• Ground water or associated water- Main factor responsible for slippage.

Suppose the hard or massive rocks are underlained by softer rocks
(shale or clay bed)
• When rain water percolates through some fractures or joints the clayey
beds becomes very plastic and acts as slippery base, which enhance the
chances of loose overburden to slip downward.
• Water is the most powerful solvent, which not only causes
decomposition of minerals but also leaches out the soluble matter of
the rock and reduces the strength.
 CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
• Lithology- rock which are rich in clay (montmorillonite, bentonite),
mica, calcite, gypsum etc are prone to landslide because these
minerals are prone to weathering.
• Geological structures- Occurrence of inclined bedding planes, joints,
fault or shear zone are the planes of weakness, which create
conditions of instability.
• Human Influence- undercutting along the hill slopes for laying roads or
rail tracks can result into instability.
• Deforestation in the uplands, result into more erosion during the rainy
season.
• EXTERNAL FACTORS
• Most common is the vibration resulted due to earthquakes; blasting
to explosives; volcanic eruption etc.

• Earthquakes often initiate mass failures on large scale eg. 1897 Assam
quake produced gigantic landslide ever recorded in the region.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LANDSLIDE
• Landslides cause property damage, injury, and death and
adversely affect a variety of resources.

• For example, water supplies, fisheries, sewage disposal

systems, forests, dams, and roadways can be affected for
years after a slide event.

• The economic effects of landslides include the cost to

repair structures, loss of property value, disruption of
transportation routes, medical costs in the event of
injury, and indirect costs, such as lost timber and fish
stocks.
 PREVENTING LANDSLIDES
• Preventing large, natural landslides is difficult, but
common sense and good engineering practices can
help to minimize the hazard.
• For example, loading the top of slopes, cutting into
sensitive slopes, placing fills on slopes, or changing
water conditions on slopes should be avoided or done
with caution.
• Common engineering techniques for landslide
prevention include provisions for surface and
subsurface drainage, removal of unstable slope
materials,construction of retaining walls or other
supporting structures, or some combination of these
• Continued……
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• The mainLITHOLOGY AND HUMAN INTERFERENCE.
• Slope: Retaining wall may be constructed against the slopes, which
can prevents rolling down of material. Terracing of the slope is an
effective measure.
• Effect of water: Make proper drainage network for quick removal of
percolating moisture or rain water by constructing ditches and water
ways along the slope
• Geological structures: Weak planes or zones may covered or grouted
to prevent percolation of water, this increases the compaction of
loose material.
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Plant ground cover on slopes and build
retaining walls.
• In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection
walls to direct the flow around buildings.
• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or
water leaks.
 MINIMIZING THE HAZARD
Identify potential hazard.
- Map unstable areas
 MINIMIZING THE HAZARD
• If suspect, to evaluate
– Don’t build structures
– Minimize load or sink foundation deep to stable
material
– Drainage control
• Divert surface water
– Surface drains
– Soil cement, asphalt, plastic to cover
• Cut-off trench to divert groundwater
• Drain internal water at base or even pump
 MINIMIZING THE HAZARD
• If suspect, hire a consulting geologist to evaluate
– Grade slope
• Cut-and-fill: remove top and fill in at base
• Must do with care, since this often causes problems
• Benching: series of cut-and-fills with diversion drains
– Slope supports
• Retaining walls (permeable and/or drained)
• Rock bolts
• Landslide warning systems
– Periodic inspection
– Tilt meters
– Well monitoring
 MINIMIZING THE HAZARD
• Be wary of leaks in a swimming pool, trees tilted down slope,
and utility wires that are taut or sagging.
• Walk the property and surrounding property, If possible,
looking for linear or curved cracks (even small ones) that might
indicate incipient instability of the land.
• Active landslides often have hummocks or step- like ground
features.
The presence of one or more of these features is not proof of the
presence of a landslide. For example, cracks in walls and
foundations can be caused by soils that shrink and swell. However,
further investigation is warranted if the above features are
present.
 METHODS OF MITIGATION
• Vulnerability to landslide hazards is a function of location, type of
human activity, use, and frequency of landslide events.

• The effects of landslides on people and structures can be lessened

by total avoidance of landslide hazard areas or by restricting,
prohibiting, or imposing conditions on hazard-zone activity.

• . Local governments can reduce landslide effects through land-use

policies and regulations.

• Individuals can reduce their exposure to hazards by educating

themselves on the past hazard history of a site and by making
inquiries to planning and engineering departments of local
governments.
 METHOD OF MITIGATION
BEFORE A LANDSLIDE

Getting ready before a landslide will help reduce damage to

home and business and help in survival.

• Find out from council if there have been landslides in the

area before and where they might occur again.

• Check for signs that the ground may be moving. 

• Be alert when driving especially where there are

embankments along roadsides. Watch the road for
collapsed pavements, mud and fallen rocks.
 METHODS OF MITIGATION
WARNING SIGNS

• Small slips, rock falls and subsidence at the bottom of slopes.

• Sticking doors and window frames.

• Gaps where frames are not fitting properly.

• Outside fixtures such as steps, decks, and verandas moving or

tilting away from the rest of the house.

• New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls

and other hard surfaces.

• Tilting trees, retaining walls or fences.

 METHODS OF MITIGATION
IF YOU THINK A LANDSLIDE IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN

• Act quickly. Getting out of the path of a landslide is the

best protection.

• Evacuate and take Getaway Kit with you. Take your pets
with you and move livestock to safe paddocks if you can
safely do so.

• Warn neighbours who might be affected and help those

who may need assistance to evacuate.

• Contact emergency services and local council/corporation

to inform them of the hazard.
 METHODS OF MITIGATION
AFTER A LANDSLIDE

• Keep in mind that further landslides may occur. Stay away

from affected sites until it has been properly inspected
and authorities give the all-clear.

• Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate

authorities.

• If your property or contents are damaged take notes and

photographs when it is safe to do so. Contact your
insurance company and inform your landlord if there is
damage to the rental property.
 CONCLUSION

Landslide is very devastating, when we can prevent it we should and when

outrightly Natural we should plan for it’s proper management.
 MID EXAM- 20 MARKS

• Topics
Chapter -3 : Natural hazards: Volcanic Activity and Volcanic
hazards
Volcanic Hazards,Forecasting volcanic activity, Predicting
volcanic hazards and mitigation measures, Adjustment and
perception of volcanic hazards ,Volcanic hazards in Ethiopia
Chapter-4 : Natural Hazards: Hydro – Climatic Hazards
Climatic Hazards, El Nino, La Nino, Cyclone, Drought,
Climate change, hurricane, floods. Hydro- Climatic Hazards
vs Geologic Hazards, Global Inventory. Hydrologic Hazards:
Flooding, magnitude and frequency, Urbanization and
flooding, Adjustment to flood hazards, perception of
flooding. Climatic Hazards in Ethiopia
 • THANK YOU

• ANY QUESTION PL.