Effects of the landslide

negative landslide effects

Landslides are one of many natural disasters that cause mass destruction and loss of life around the world. It is conditioned by the type of soil, inclination, location of human areas and the existence of earthquakes and/or strong storms. There are numerous causes and consequences that lead to different landslide effects.

In this article we are going to tell you what are the different effects of landslides and what are their causes and consequences.

Effects of landslides

road fall

According to a study by the International Center for Landslides at Durham University in the UK, there were 2.620 deadly landslides between 2004 and 2010. These landslides killed more than 32,322 people. The figure does not include landslides caused by the earthquake. The findings are staggering considering the number of deaths caused by landslides. Therefore, it is critical to understand the causes and warning signs of potential landslides to minimize losses.

A landslide, sometimes called a landslide, slope failure, or landslide, is the uncontrolled flow of rock, dirt, debris, or a combination of all three. Landslides are the result of the failure of the materials that make up the slope and are strengthened by gravity.. When the soil becomes saturated, it becomes unstable and unbalanced for a long time. That's when the landslide broke out. When people live on these hills or mountains, it is usually only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

Natural causes of landslides

landslide

Although landslides are considered natural disasters, human-induced environmental changes have caused them to return recently. Although landslides have a variety of causes, they have two things in common: they are powered by gravity and are the result of the destruction of soil and rock material that forms a hillside.

Climate

Long-term climate change can significantly affect soil stability. An overall reduction in precipitation results in lower groundwater tables and total soil weight, less dissolution of material and less freezing and thawing activity. Significant increases in precipitation or soil saturation will greatly increase groundwater levels. A landslide occurs when a sloping area becomes completely saturated with water. Without the mechanical support of the roots, the soil will begin to lose it.

Earthquakes

Seismic activity has long caused landslides around the world. Every time the tectonic plates move, so does the soil that covers them. When an earthquake hits a steep slope, in many cases landslides and landslides occur. Additionally, volcanic ash and landslides caused by earthquakes can also cause large-scale earth movements.

Weathering

Weathering is the natural process of rock degradation, making the material weak and prone to landslides. Weathering is produced by the chemical action of water, air, plants and bacteria. When rocks are brittle enough, they can slip and cause landslides.

Erosion

The erosion of sporadic water currents such as streams, rivers, wind, currents, ice, waves, etc., causes the latent and lateral support of the slope to disappear, and landslides to occur.

Volcanoes

Volcanic eruptions can cause landslides. If the eruption occurs in wet conditions, the ground will begin to move downward, causing landslides. Stratovolcano is the classic example of a volcano responsible for most of the world's landslides.

Forest fire

Forest fires cause soil erosion and lead to flooding, which in turn cause landslides

Gravity

Steeper slopes combined with gravity can trigger massive landslides.

Human Causes of Landslides

landslide effects

Mining

All the mining activities with blasting techniques are the main cause of landslides. Vibrations from the blast can weaken the ground in other landslide-prone areas. The weakening of the ground means that landslides can occur at any time.

clean cut

Logging is a timber felling technique that removes all the old trees in the area. This technique is dangerous because it alters the mechanical structure of the roots in the area.

Negative landslide effects

Slump

Landslides have been shown to cause property damage. If the decline is significant, it could deplete the economy of the region or the country. After a collapse, the affected area is usually repaired. Such repairs involve huge capital expenditures. For example, the 1983 landslide in Utah, USA, cost about $500 million to repair. Losses from landslides in the United States are estimated at $1.5 billion annually.

Infrastructure

The forced flow of mud, gravel, and rock caused by landslides can cause serious property damage. Infrastructures such as roads, railways, recreational destinations, buildings and communication systems they can be destroyed by a single landslide.

Lost lives

Communities living at the foot of the mountain are at higher risk of dying from landslides. Massive landslides bring huge rocks, heavy debris, and thick soil. This type of slide has the ability to kill a lot of people on impact. For example, a landslide in the UK a few years ago caused swirling debris destroyed a school and killed more than 144 people, including 116 school-age children ages 7 to 10. In another incident, NBC News reported that 21 people were killed in a mudslide in Oso, Washington on March 22, 2014.

Affects the beauty of the landscape

Erosion from landslides has left a rugged and unsightly landscape. The piles of earth, stones and rubble found on the slopes They can cover land used by communities for agricultural or social purposes.

Impact on the river ecosystem

Dirt, debris, and rocks sliding down slopes can enter rivers and block their natural flow. Many riparian habitats, such as fish, can die due to disruption of the natural flow of water. Communities that depend on the river for household activities and irrigation will be affected if the flow of water is blocked.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the effects of landslides and their characteristics.


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