Mass Wasting

Lecture notes Mass Wasting GLG 101 – Physical Geology Although changes can occur slowly over geologic time, sometimes catastrophic changes occur as soil, rock debris, and/or bedrock move in bulk at the Earth's surface. This is called “mass wasting”, and it’s a form of erosion/transportation. The movement (downhill) is controlled by gravity as the main driving force. Why it’s important On average, forms of mass wasting such as landslides, mudslides and avalanches actually account for more loss of life and property damage than do earthquakes and volcanoes. You should be aware of the signs and hazards when buying a home, visiting an area/traveling, etc. We’ll cover some of the more important things you need to know in this section. These are some of the gravitational forces/factors that control mass wasting • • • • • Weight of material‐ mass acted upon by gravity is weight Normal force‐ component of gravitational force perpendicular to slope Shear force‐ component of gravitational force parallel to slope Shear Strength‐ Cohesive force of material‐ resistance to deformation (breaking or flowing) Friction‐ force resisting movement between two bodies In short……gravity = the cause of Mass Wasting Water – critical factor. The potential for mass wasting is directly related to the amount of water in the material (rock or debris etc.) – A small amount of water ‐ helps hold material together – Too much water – pushes grains apart/reduces shear strengh & material moves faster. This diminishes particle cohesion (friction) – Water also adds weight – Freeze/thaw ‐ breaks up material. Freezing = a lifting force – particles separated from underlying material & allows for “creep”. – The expansion/contraction of clayey debris can also cause creep Controls and Triggers of Mass Wasting. There are a number of factors we will cover later on. However, one of the most important is the slope angle. • Oversteepening of slopes—slope angle – Stable slope angle (angle of repose) is different for various materials. – Oversteepened slopes are unstable. Classification of Mass Wasting – There are different ways to classify mass wasting • • Classification by Type of Material • Debris (unconsolidated material) • Bedrock Classification by Type of Movement • Flow (viscous fluid – incoherent mass) • Slip • • • movement along defined planes • coherent blocks • Form slides and slumps Fall – free fall off cliffs Classification by Rate of Movement • Creep (< 1 cm/year) • Flows and Slides (1mm/day to 5km/hour) • Falls and Avalanches (>5km/hour) • Landslides = Flows, Slides, Falls, Avalanches Bottom line ….. It is difficult to classify – Lets look at some examples of different types. Types of Mass Wasting Slumps • Movement of a mass of rock or unconsolidated material as a unit along a curved surface • Occurs along oversteepened slopes Debris flow (mudflows/earthflows) • Consists of soil and regolith with a large amount of water • Often confined to channels • Material flows like a viscous liquid Lahars = a special type • Can happen when rainfall saturates ash and debris flows downhill, Or • When ice and snow are melted during and eruption, saturating ash and debris. Slips and Slides Rock slides – Blocks of bedrock slide down a slope. – Moving along planes of weakness (e.g. foliation) – Generally very fast and destructive – May break up into avalanches Debris slides and slumps – Coherent mass moves along plane of weakness – Debris slumps ‐ rotational Rock Falls • Rocks freely fall from cliffs. • May be caused by: – wave action (undercutting) – human activity (bulldozers); or – from frost heaving along steep cliffs. – Starts as coherent mass – May become a debris avalanche Debris Falls Rock fall‐ Talus Talus = apron of debris of broken rocks at base of large cliffs. Factors that Influence Mass Wasting: Slope Angle Steeper slope = higher shear force (less stable) Relief • Relief = difference in highest and lowest elevations. • Higher relief – moving masses build up more momentum/speed. Rock Type Loose debris‐less stable than solid rock Vegetation Roots hold debris together More vegetation = more stable However, in solid rock roots can help break up material Climate freeze/thaw‐expansion/contraction lifts materials followed by melting & movement (gravity) – “creep” Climate – precipitation • Frequent precipitation – inhibits mass wasting (less likely to move) Materials held together/surface tension of water • Heavy or intermittent ppt – may enhance mass wasting (more likely to move) Less vegetation/quick saturation Pre‐existing weaknesses (planes of weakness) Potential planes of weakness • Foliations – metamorphic rocks • Bedding – sedimentary rocks • Sheet joints / cooling joints / fractures and faults Planes of weakness parallel to a slope = unstable Planes Perpendicular to a slope = stable General rule‐ if planes are oriented perpendicular to slope, system is most stable. Planes oriented parallel to shear force is most hazardous Debris Thickness & Addition of Weight Thick debris over bedrock – It weighs more and it is susceptible to holding large quantities of water Addition of weight to upper slope‐ extra force applied on slope‐ a push Earthquakes & Volcanism Earthquakes can trigger mass wasting by the emination of shock waves moving the material; or by liquifaction, jostling water saturated sand to break grain contacts and allow flow of water around grains‐ quicksand. Volcanism‐ Magmas rising beneath volcanoes can increase slope angles (Mt. St. Helens) and cause mass wasting. Finding Mass Wasting Hazards Recognition – What to look for or consider • Look for signs of creep or any other mass wasting (scarps, hummocky toes) • Look for planes of weakness (foliation in meta rx in Phx) • Consider consequences of steepening slope as in making road or landscape cuts • Beware of removal of vegetation • Consider addition of weight • Systems such as sprinklers that add water Preventing mass wasting • Stabilizing slopes Retaining walls with adequate drainage Planting vegetation to hold material together Rock bolting – to bedrock • Removing unstable slopes (e.g. slopes with planes of weakness) • Minimizing extra weight – construction/buildings