Landslides:
Readings
Kris Baker installs monitoring stakes in an earthflow near Mansfield University for his Environmental Geology Laboratory project. He estimated that the flow is moving at a rate of about one foot per year. Check his website.

TEXTBOOK READINGS:

  • Landslides and subsidence are presented in Chapter 8 of your textbook. You should read this chapter carefully, paying close attention to the important terminology, key concepts, and illustrations. The "Review Questions" at the end of the chapter and the topics in the "Study Question Conference" will be important sources of questions for your quiz.

WORLD WIDE WEB READINGS:
  • Features that may indicate landslides:  This page contains lots of good information about landslides and the features that can sometimes be used to identify sites with the potential for catastrophic landslide movement. These are the same features that can be used to recognize landslide problems anywhere. From the National Landslide Information Center.


  • Landslide Hazard Fact Sheet:   This page lists a number of factors that can contribute to landslide occurrence. From the National Landslide Information Center.


  • National Landslide Overview Map:  This map shows a combination of landslide incidence and landslide hazard for the entire United States. You can use it to quickly identify the areas with the greatest landslide problems. Be sure to look at the explanation in the lower left corner to be sure you know what the different colors mean. You can zoom-in on a specific part of the country by clicking on one of the large dots. From the National Landslide Information Center.


  • Optional Animation:   Landslide Simulation:     Here is an aerial photograph that has been artistically modified to simulate an active landslide. It provides a very realistic view of how landslide processes work and the damage that can be done by them. Warning:   This is a huge file (2 MB) that will take five to ten minutes to load if you are using a computer with a slow connection. Click on the link, take a short break, and come back later to watch the landslide move. If you have an older computer or one with a minimal amount of memory it is possible that this animation will not play on your machine. This is an optional part of the course, but it is an excellent animation for those students who are able to view it.

  • Optional Map:   Landslides in the Mansfield Area:     This is an optional part of the lesson because many students in the course do not live in the Mansfield area. However, if you are familiar with the area take a look at this map - all of the numbered areas are active or ancient landslides. I hope that you do not live on one of them!