Chapter 3: Section 3 - Slopes and Landscapes

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Overview

In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of EarthComm, Section 3: Slopes and Landscapes.

Learning Outcomes

  • Carry out an investigation of the maximum slope that can be formed by a pile of sand.
  • Carry out an investigation that compares the maximum slope angles formed by various unconsolidated sediments.
  • Analyze contour data on a local topographic map to explain patterns in the slopes of your community.
  • Obtain information about the importance of slopes in land development

Inquiring Further

  1. To learn more about catastrophic mass movements, visit the following web sites:

Real-Time Monitoring of an Active Landslide Above Highway 50, California, USGS
Contains data related to the monitoring of an active landslide between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, California.

Landslide Monitoring Seattle, Washington, USGS
Contains data related to the study and monitoring of a landslide in western Washington. Includes a summary of the data collected, including rainfall, pore pressure, and movement data.

The 2014 Oso Landslide, Washington, USGS
"Gravity never sleeps". Revisitng the catastrophic landslide from March 22, 2014. Learn what the scientists now know about the event.

Landslide Preparedness, USGS
Learn about the warning signs and what to do before, during, and after a landslide occurs.

Resources

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Angle of Repose

Granular Avalanches on Earth and Mars, Netherlands Space Office
Compares slopes on Mars to slopes on Earth.  Reviews the physics of the angle of repose of a material.

Reposing Differently on Mars and Earth?, The Sandglass by Michael Welland
A professional geologist considers how martian gravity would affect alluvial fan development on the red planet.

Mass Movement

What is a Landslide?, USGS
Learn about what landslide are, and where and why they occur.

Debris-Flow Hazards in the United States, USGS
Examines different types of debris flows, where they are likely to occur, and steps to take to minimize the damages associated with debris flows.

Landslide Monitoring, USGS
Monitoring is essential for landslide prediction. Contains data related to the monitoring of active and potential landslides.  Examine the following active landslides:

  • Highway 50, California
  • Florida River, CO
  • Johnson Creek Landslide, Coastal Oregon
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Portland, OR
  • Puget Sound, Coastal Bluffs, Washington
  • Woodway, Washington

The Landslide Handbook, USGS
Reviews what makes an area susceptible to landsliding and what to do to if you are in a high-risk area, as well as providing links to finding out more about landslides.

Landslide Video Collections, USGS
A compilation of videos from researchers at the USGS who monitor landslides.

Landslide Glossary, USGS
Learn the specialized language that scientists to use to communicate about landslides.