Question

What are landslides? Explain the causes of landslides.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Definition of landslides
• Causes of landslides

Solution:
When a large mass of soil, rocks, and other material from the surface of the earth slide down the slope of a mountain, it is called a landslide.

Causes of landslides:

• A landslide occurs when the natural slope of a mountain is disturbed. This can happen due to the following activities:
• Earthquake: shaking of ground disturbs the slopes
• Heavy rainfall: higher water percolation makes the soil particles loose and it flows down the slope.
• Deforestation: Roots of the trees hold the soil. Deforestation lets the soil open and more susceptible to landslides.
• Vibrations from machines: they create a similar impact to earthquakes.