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Week-1-Lecture

The document explains two types of geological hazards: landslides and sinkholes. Landslides occur on sloped terrain due to gravity and are exacerbated by rain, while sinkholes form when groundwater erodes limestone bedrock, creating depressions. Warning signs for both hazards include ground movement, cracks, and changes in vegetation or water drainage.

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Christabell Codilan
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2 views

Week-1-Lecture

The document explains two types of geological hazards: landslides and sinkholes. Landslides occur on sloped terrain due to gravity and are exacerbated by rain, while sinkholes form when groundwater erodes limestone bedrock, creating depressions. Warning signs for both hazards include ground movement, cracks, and changes in vegetation or water drainage.

Uploaded by

Christabell Codilan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Explain Different Types of Geological Hazards

Landslide

A landslide is a ground movement on a sloping terrain. It does not happen on flat ground because of
the angle on the ground, gravity induces the land to move downward. It is aggravated by rain
because water is a natural agent for erosion. If rain or any source of water frequently flows down a
sloping area, the gravitational descent of loosened soil makes it possible for landslide to occur.

Structures that are built on steep-slope mountains have a high vulnerability to landslide hazards
especially during heavy rains. Areas with: steep slope, dense population and denuded terrain are
distinguished by a high susceptibility to rainfall-induced landslide hazards. Long or regular rain may
saturate the topsoil and the bedrock, weakening the soil base of buildings or structures. Without
plants and trees whose roots can absorb water and hold the soil together, subsequent rain water
can continue to loosen up the soil that anchors the buildings. A heavy downpour of rain can quickly
destroy these buildings and communities, giving way to landslides, mudslides, or mudflows.
Sinkhole
A sinkhole is a topographic depression created when groundwater dissolves the
underlying limestone bedrock. Often known as "sink" or "doline,".
Characteristics:
● occur in areas where the soil foundation is made of soft minerals and rocks such
as limestone, salt beds, or any acidic rocks.
● The depth of sinkholes ranges from a couple of meters to several mile deep.

How it occurs:
Water from the rainfall seeps underneath the soil through the cracks and fissures. As water passes
through these cracks and fissures, it erodes the soil and forms a conduit system, these
underground water systems increase in size as the soil is carried by the water through internal
erosion. This can either form a void filled with air with an underground drainage. If the void is
clogged with clay, then it forms a depression which then accumulates water and forms a pond.
Otherwise it forms a hole once the cover collapses into the void which can be either filled with air or
water.

Types of Sinkholes
There are three main types of sinkholes, according to the geologist, but there is an
additional category, the artificial sinkholes which are caused by human activity.
1. Cover Collapse Sinkhole
It develops suddenly (over an hour period) thus, causing catastrophic damage.
2. Cover Subsidence Sinkhole
It gradually grows where the sediment covers are permeable and contain sand.
3. Dissolution Sinkhole
It occurs in areas where calcareous is exposed on the ground or where thin layers of
soil and permeable sand are also covered. Limestone or dolomite dissolution is most
intense when the water first reaches the rock surface.
4. Artificial Sinkhole
Such types of sinks may be caused by various human activities, including groundwater pumping
and building.
• 1. Earlier landslide as indicator-If there’s frequent occurrence of landslides in a
section, it implies that the soil in this area is weak and has unstable geology; thus,
more susceptible to landslides. This may be caused by lack of vegetation, weathering,
erosion, etc. A reactivated landslide is when an old, semi-stable landslide changed
something, causing a new collapse at the same place.

• 2. Tension cracks-These are caused by the stress and friction produced by geologic
materials moving apart which forms steep lines of cracks in the terrain. These cracks
are located on higher elevated ground.

• 3. Things Moving -Deformation and movement of non-living objects not caused by


human manipulation can also indicate a landslide. The most common of these is that
trees are bending up in a J-curve as a sign that the ground slips out from underneath
them, no longer closing properly, or broken utilities.

• This motion can be slow or rapid. Rapid landslides are results of sudden collapse of a
slope. This happens in terrains that are steeper uphill. Whereas, indicators of slow
landslides are categorized by movement of floor tiles, deformation of door frames
which causes difficulty in closing and opening the door, and broken electric posts, gas,
water and sewage pipes.

• 4. Water Doing Something Different -Springs, seep, or wet ground may appear on a
seemingly dry terrain. Similarly, unexpected withdrawal of water also indicates the
same. Water causes alteration of the pressure within the slopes of a terrain

WARNING SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING SINKHOLE


• Trees or fence posts that tilt or fall

• Foundations that slant

• New small ponds that appear after rain

• Cracks in the ground

• Sudden drainage of a pond

• Rapid appearance of a hole in the ground

• Dips, depressions, slopes that appear in a yard

Dead patches of grass or plants


• Sinkholes in the neighborhood
• Wilted vegetation in a limited area
• Well water that is discolored or contaminated with debris
• Cracking or buckling of home’s concrete slab
• Presence of odd bugs like slugs, centipedes in homes
• Earthly odor in home after rain
• New or widening cracks
• Separation between walls and ceiling

• Cracks around door and window frames

• Cracked grout between tiles

• Cracked tiles

• Stair step cracks in blocks or bricks

• Uneven floors, warping of hardwood, bulging


or sagging sections
• Doors or windows that don’t open or close
easily

• Cracks in sheetrock near doors or windows

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