LANDSLIDES AND

SINKHOLES
A GUIDE ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LANDSLIDES
AND SINKHOLES

SOIL CREEP LANDSLIDE

The slowest kind of landslide is known as creep. When clay in the

soil on a hillside absorbs water, it will expand, causing the soil to

swell. As the clay dries and contracts, the particles settle slightly

in the downhill direction. ( Geology Teacher Friendly Guide)

SLUMPING LANDSLIDE
A landslide consisting of a mass of material moving downslope as a

unit, usually along a curved plane of failure. The removed mass of

soil and rock leave an abrupt drop-off at the top of the landslide

known as a scarp. Repeated slumping can often result in terracing,

or a series of scarps, as secondary failures occur within the

landslide mass. (aegweb.org)

DEBRIS FLOW LANDSLIDE

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides that are particularly

dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy

objects in their paths, and often strike without warning. They occur

in a wide variety of environments throughout the world. (usgs.gov)

ROCK FALL LANDSLIDE

Rockfalls are the fastest type of landslide and occur most

frequently in mountains or other steep areas during early spring

when there is abundant moisture and repeated freezing and

thawing.(Planningforhazards.com)

COVER COLLAPSE SINKHOLE

Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop abruptly (over a period of

hours) and cause catastrophic damages. They occur where the

covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay. Over time,

surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of sinkhole into a

shallower bowl-shaped depression.(usgs.gov)

COVER SUBSIDENCE SINKHOLE

Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the

covering sediments are permeable and contain sand. In areas

where cover material is thicker or sediments contain more clay,

cover-subsidence sinkholes are relatively uncommon and therefore

may not be seen frequently.(geohazards.com)

DISSOLUTION SINKHOLE
Dissolution sinkholes occur at the ground surface where bedrock is

exposed or is very shallow, and result from rainfall and surface

water percolating through the bedrock's joints and fractures.

Dissolved carbonate rock is transported in the water, leading to the

formation of a depression.(earthsystems.com)

ARTIFICIAL SINKHOLE
Man-made sinkholes are created when a city development

compromises the structural integrity of underlying rock. Roads,

buildings and other infrastructure can cause water to collect in

certain areas and wash away any supporting layer of rock, resulting

in sinkholes.(conserve-energy-future.com)