BIOLOGY 2D03 Study Guide - Slope Stability, Avalanche Transceiver, Klondike Gold Rush

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIOLOGY 2D03
• Professor: Susan A Dudley

Document Summary

Landslide: downslope movement of rock or sediment via gravity (rapid if detectable by eye) Classified based on: (mechanism of movement, type of material, amount of water, speed of movement) Mechanism of movement: fall: rock/sediment dropping off a cliff, slide: downslope ;movement along discrete failure plane c. Flow movement of particles semi-independently usually with aid of water: rock fall: mass movement caused by fall mechanism, slump: mass movement where failure plane is curved (image, creep: flow mechanism (1 mm-m annually) Forces on a slope: slope stability is baed on two forces: driving forces: move material downslope. Based on the weight of the material: resisting forces: oppose downslope movement, based on shear strength of material. The rate of resisting forces to driving forces (r/d) If ratio is over 1 = stable. If ratio is under 1 = unstable. Degree of consolidation and the presence of weakness planes can increase the risk of landslides.