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What three things might influence a slide when conditions are right? What types of material can make up a flow? (Site 1)

On a rainy afternoon, motorists traveling along a cliffside on a narrow, two-lane highway suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Up ahead, the side of the cliff had slid down the hill’s steep slope, covering the road with a thick wall of mud. Fortunately, no cars were in that spot when the cliff collapsed. But nonetheless, the road was completely impassable and would remain closed until the mud was cleared and the cliff was stabilized.

A road partially blocked by dirt and mud.
Erosion or Weathering?
Mudslides and landslides are sudden changes to the earth’s surface. These two types of erosion occur when soil on a slope or hillside becomes unstable due to water saturation or seismic activity.

Some people may think that mudslides and landslides are examples of weathering, but they are not. Weathering occurs in a fixed location. A rock might be broken down by mechanical or chemical weathering. In mechanical weathering, water, ice, and wind break down rocks by chiseling, cracking, and sandblasting. In chemical weathering, the acids in rain or surface water flow over the rocks and change the chemical makeup of the rocks. For instance, when acidic water flows over limestone, the calcium in the rock dissolves and causes the rock to crumble.

In erosion, the action involves movement from one place to another. Examples of erosion include sand on a beach being washed away by the tides, canyon walls being carved by a river, and soil or mud on a hillside sliding down a cliff.

Factors Influencing Slides
Various factors impact slides. Steeper slopes are generally at greater risk for more severe slides. Slides, after all, operate under the power of gravity. On a gentle slope (or no slope at all), gravity has less of a pull on the soil than on a steep slope.

Deforestation is another major factor that can cause slides. The roots of plants hold soil in place. So, when the rains fall and the winds blow, the soil is held down. Slopes with no vegetation have nothing to hold the soil in place. Therefore, when the rains come, the soil gets saturated and gravity can easily tug it downward, causing massive slides. In places where fires have destroyed the vegetation on a hillside, the areas below the fire zone are at greater risk for mud and landslides than they were before the fire.

Landslides can also occur without any rain. Seismic or volcanic activity can shake loose soil or chunks of land on a hillside, and then gravity does the rest.

The diagram titled Anatomy of a Landslide shows houses at the top of a mountain. Scarp has slid down the mountainside to deposit debris over a road and into water at the bottom of the mountain.
Landslides act like a river of soil flowing down a slope.
Environmental Impact
It’s important to realize that slides can be made up of more than just soil. When the ground slips, falls, or slides down a hill, it can take everything on top of it along for the ride, including giant boulders, rivers of rock, dead vegetation, and even automobiles. In slides that occur as a result of volcanic activity, ash, pumice, and other volcanic materials also flow down the side of the mountain.

Slides can have a devastating impact on the environment. First, the area that loses the soil in the slide is now permanently altered. Second, the land below that is now covered in the material from the slide is also damaged. If houses or structures are below a slide, they can be completely destroyed when the mud, soil, and debris cover them.

Slide Safety
BEFORE: While some natural events aren’t completely possible to prevent, humans can certainly do their best to be as prepared as possible. If you live in an area that is prone to landslides or mudslides, become familiar with the landscape. Notice where runoff water comes down slopes. Pay attention to boulders and other rocks that could tumble down a mountainside. Make sure every member of the family has an emergency preparedness kit and is aware of the family plan during an emergency.

DURING: If you suspect or have been warned about an impending slide, warn your neighbors and evacuate the area. If you’re on the road in an area at risk for slides, pay attention to your surroundings. Look for mud, fallen rocks, or excessive amounts of water flowing down a cliff.

AFTER: Do not enter the slide zone until it has been deemed by authorities to be safe. The area may still be unstable, or there may be other hazards (broken gas and electrical lines) as a result of the slide. Once you’re allowed back in, check your home for damage, report any broken utility lines, and replant damaged ground covering as soon as possible, especially on slopes.

Question

kyleighmp07 kyleighmp07

09-11-2022
Biology

Answered

Click to review the online content. Then answer the question(s) below, using complete sentences. Scroll down to view additional questions.
Online Content: Site 1

What three things might influence a slide when conditions are right? What types of material can make up a flow? (Site 1)

On a rainy afternoon, motorists traveling along a cliffside on a narrow, two-lane highway suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Up ahead, the side of the cliff had slid down the hill’s steep slope, covering the road with a thick wall of mud. Fortunately, no cars were in that spot when the cliff collapsed. But nonetheless, the road was completely impassable and would remain closed until the mud was cleared and the cliff was stabilized.

A road partially blocked by dirt and mud.
Erosion or Weathering?
Mudslides and landslides are sudden changes to the earth’s surface. These two types of erosion occur when soil on a slope or hillside becomes unstable due to water saturation or seismic activity.

Some people may think that mudslides and landslides are examples of weathering, but they are not. Weathering occurs in a fixed location. A rock might be broken down by mechanical or chemical weathering. In mechanical weathering, water, ice, and wind break down rocks by chiseling, cracking, and sandblasting. In chemical weathering, the acids in rain or surface water flow over the rocks and change the chemical makeup of the rocks. For instance, when acidic water flows over limestone, the calcium in the rock dissolves and causes the rock to crumble.

In erosion, the action involves movement from one place to another. Examples of erosion include sand on a beach being washed away by the tides, canyon walls being carved by a river, and soil or mud on a hillside sliding down a cliff.

Factors Influencing Slides
Various factors impact slides. Steeper slopes are generally at greater risk for more severe slides. Slides, after all, operate under the power of gravity. On a gentle slope (or no slope at all), gravity has less of a pull on the soil than on a steep slope.

Deforestation is another major factor that can cause slides. The roots of plants hold soil in place. So, when the rains fall and the winds blow, the soil is held down. Slopes with no vegetation have nothing to hold the soil in place. Therefore, when the rains come, the soil gets saturated and gravity can easily tug it downward, causing massive slides. In places where fires have destroyed the vegetation on a hillside, the areas below the fire zone are at greater risk for mud and landslides than they were before the fire.

Landslides can also occur without any rain. Seismic or volcanic activity can shake loose soil or chunks of land on a hillside, and then gravity does the rest.

The diagram titled Anatomy of a Landslide shows houses at the top of a mountain. Scarp has slid down the mountainside to deposit debris over a road and into water at the bottom of the mountain.
Landslides act like a river of soil flowing down a slope.
Environmental Impact
It’s important to realize that slides can be made up of more than just soil. When the ground slips, falls, or slides down a hill, it can take everything on top of it along for the ride, including giant boulders, rivers of rock, dead vegetation, and even automobiles. In slides that occur as a result of volcanic activity, ash, pumice, and other volcanic materials also flow down the side of the mountain.

Slides can have a devastating impact on the environment. First, the area that loses the soil in the slide is now permanently altered. Second, the land below that is now covered in the material from the slide is also damaged. If houses or structures are below a slide, they can be completely destroyed when the mud, soil, and debris cover them.

Slide Safety
BEFORE: While some natural events aren’t completely possible to prevent, humans can certainly do their best to be as prepared as possible. If you live in an area that is prone to landslides or mudslides, become familiar with the landscape. Notice where runoff water comes down slopes. Pay attention to boulders and other rocks that could tumble down a mountainside. Make sure every member of the family has an emergency preparedness kit and is aware of the family plan during an emergency.

DURING: If you suspect or have been warned about an impending slide, warn your neighbors and evacuate the area. If you’re on the road in an area at risk for slides, pay attention to your surroundings. Look for mud, fallen rocks, or excessive amounts of water flowing down a cliff.

AFTER: Do not enter the slide zone until it has been deemed by authorities to be safe. The area may still be unstable, or there may be other hazards (broken gas and electrical lines) as a result of the slide. Once you’re allowed back in, check your home for damage, report any broken utility lines, and replant damaged ground covering as soon as possible, especially on slopes.

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