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Evaluation of Temporal and Spatial Factors that Control the Susceptibility to Rainfall-Triggered Landslides

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Coping With Flash Floods

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series ((ASEN2,volume 77))

Abstract

Landslides are a common, natural mass-wasting phenomenon in mountainous areas throughout the world. The term landslide means the downward and outward movement of hillslope-forming materials--natural rock, soils, artificial fills or combinations of these materials [37]. Landslides can include falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows [9]. Shallow landslides usually occur in material defined as engineering soils: unconsolidated, inorganic mineral, residual, or transported material (colluvium or alluvium), including rock fragments. Landslides are part of the natural process of hillslope erosion that is responsible for the introduction of sediment into streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and finally the ocean. In populated areas landslides pose serious problems for public safety. Human-made structures and their inhabitants on or near hillslopes may be in jeopardy if geologic, hydrologic, and climatologic conditions are conducive to landsliding.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Geological Survey GSA Center, Puerto Rico, USA

    Matthew C Larsen

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  1. Matthew C Larsen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Eve Gruntfest

  2. Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University, London, England

    John Handmer

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Larsen, M.C. (2001). Evaluation of Temporal and Spatial Factors that Control the Susceptibility to Rainfall-Triggered Landslides. In: Gruntfest, E., Handmer, J. (eds) Coping With Flash Floods. NATO Science Series, vol 77. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0918-8_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0918-8_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-6826-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0918-8

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