DISASTER MANAGEMENT RIST D. Thakuria, Asst.

Prof, CE

5.5 FACTORS AFFECTING LANDSLIDES

1. Slope saturation with water: Water is a primary cause for landslides, as, when present in large quantities, it
saturates the superficial slope soil layers and causes them to slide down. Intense rainfall or melting snow,
changes occurred in ground-water levels or changes of water levels along coastlines, lake banks, earth dams,
canals, reservoirs, and rivers – all these may cause mass movements leading to landslides.

There is always a relationship between flooding and landslides, because both are related to water saturation
of the ground. Moreover, mud flows and debris flows occurring in steep stream channels can be mistaken for
floods, but it is a fact that these two phenomena often occur at the same time and in the same area.

Landslides may cause flooding when they form landslide dams that eventually block stream channels and
valleys and allow large masses of water to back up. Backwater starts flooding and, when the dam fails, it will
cause subsequent downstream flooding. Solid debris can add both volume and density to a normal stream
flow and can cause channel blockages. Another effect of landslides is overtopping reservoirs and reducing
their capacity to store water.

2. Seismic activity in the area: Certain mountainous areas are vulnerable to landslides but have also been
affected by earthquakes, at least at moderate rates. When an earthquake occurs in such areas, the risks for a
landslide to occur as well grow tremendously. Ground shaking allows water to infiltrate rapidly between
ground layers and then make these layers slide on one another. Ground shaking also causes widespread rock
falls.

3. Volcanic activity: Volcanic activity is the factor that provokes the most devastating type of landslides.
Lava melts snow at high speed and can cause a deluge of soil, rock, ash, and water which rushes down on
the steep slopes of the volcano. This deluge devastates everything in its path. Volcanic debris flows at great
distances and can damage the structures in areas surrounding the volcano. There were numerous cases when
the eruption of a volcano triggered a massive landslide.

4. Composition of slope material: Landslide is more prone on slopes that contain clay and shale. The shape
and composition of individual clay particles can absorb water and prevent water from peculating through the
ground. A layer of clay on a slope can prevent water from filtering through the slope. Instead, the water stays
near the surface and saturates the ground. This can cause the surface layers to lose friction and slide.

5. Weight and Friction of Slope: Adding weight to a weakened slope can obviously cause it to slide easier,
especially on steep slopes. This added weight tends to occur by building on top of weak slopes, increasing
the steepness of the slope, or over-saturating the slope.Friction has been mentioned as a factor several times
already, but there are a few more things must be said here. As already noted, as long as the friction along the
slope is stronger than gravity, the ground is unlikely to slide. But if that friction is weakened, slope fail
becomes more likely. There are several other ways friction can be reduced along a slope: wildfires, removal
of vegetation, or adding too much water.Gravity is probably the ultimate driving force of Landslide . The
force of gravity pulls all things on the planet toward the center of the Earth. Without gravity, mass wasting
would not occur. But unlike many of the other factors, humans have no influence or control on gravity.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT RIST D. Thakuria, Asst. Prof, CE

6. Steepness and gravity: The steeper the slope, the greater potential for gravity to pull objects down. The
shallower the slope, the less effect gravity has on pulling objects down.

**NOTE: The steepest angle a slope can be before the ground will slide is about 35 degrees, called the
angle of repose.

7. Regional Climate Conditions: A region’s climate can also determine the likelihood of a landslide. Climate
is based on temperature and precipitation. Mass wasting is prone in the spring-time when snow melt, water
saturation, and runoff is greatest. Also the type of climate will help determine the type of mass wasting.
Humid climates tend to have slides, where water-saturated slopes fail and fall. Drier climates tend to have
rocks that fall; especially early spring. Canyons and places prone to wildfires tend to have debris flows.

5.6 LANDSLIDE RISK MINIMISATION STRATEGIES

Landslide risk can be mitigated by following approaches used individually or in combination, to reduce or
eliminate losses.

1. Restricting Development in Landslide-Prone Areas: Landuse planning is one of the most effective and
economical ways to reduce landslide losses by avoiding the hazard and minimizing the risk. This is
accomplished by removing or converting existing development or discouraging or regulating new
development in unstable areas. However, in many States in our country, there are no widely accepted
procedures or regulations for landslides.

2.Codes for Excavation, Construction and Grading: Excavation, construction and grading codes have been
developed in many countries for construction in landslide-prone areas. There is no uniform code to ensure
standardization in the country. However, these should be developed and put into proper use.

3. Protecting Existing Developments: Control of surface and subsurface drainage is the most widely used,
and generally the most successful, slope-stabilization methods. Stability of a slope can be increased by
removing all or part of a landslide mass, or by adding earth buttresses placed at the toes of potential slope
failures. Retaining / Restraining walls, piles, caissons, or rock anchors, soil nailing are commonly used to
prevent or control slope movement. In most cases, combinations of these measures are used.

4.Monitoring and Warning Systems: Monitoring and warning systems help to protect lives and property,
these cannot to prevent landslides. However, these often result in issuing warning of slope movement in time
to allow the construction of physical measures that will reduce the immediate or long-term hazard. Site-
specific monitoring techniques include field observation and the use of various ground motion measuring
instruments, trip wires, radar, laser beams, and vibration meters. Data from these devices can be telemetered
for real-time warning.

5.Landslide Insurance and Compensation for Losses: Landslide insurance would be a logical means to
provide compensation and incentive to avoid or mitigate the hazard. Landslide insurance coverage could be
made a requirement for mortgage loans. Controls on building byelaws, development, and property
maintenance would be needed for mandatory insurance. Insurance and appropriate government intervention
can work together, each complementing the other in reducing losses and compensating victims.

6.Structural measures: Adopt remedial techniques (i.e., buttresses, shear keys, sub-drains, soil
reinforcement, retaining walls, etc.) of existing landslides that are in close proximity to public structures.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT RIST D. Thakuria, Asst. Prof, CE

Drainage Corrections:
The most important triggering mechanism for mass movements is the water infiltrating into the overburden
during heavy rains and consequent increase in pore pressure in the overburden. Hence the natural way of
preventing this situation is by reducing infiltration and allowing excess water to move down without
hindrance. As such, the first and foremost mitigation measure is drainage correction. This involves
maintenance of natural drainage channels, both micro and macro, in vulnerable slopes.

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