HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT SPEED UP OR TRIGGER LANDSLIDES / EARTH & LIFE SCIENCE / SCIENCE 11 - MELC 17

Summary

This video explains how human activities can accelerate or trigger landslides, which can cause significant damage and fatalities. It covers activities like mining, quarrying, land development, land pollution, excavation, and deforestation. The video also highlights ways to prevent or mitigate landslides, such as proper drainage, maintaining vegetation, using slope-friendly building designs, and hazard mapping. Practical measures like dewatering, slope reinforcement, and educating the public about landslide warning signs are also discussed. Viewers are encouraged to be proactive in preventing landslides and minimizing their impact.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Landslides are triggered by the movement of rocks, debris, or earth down a slope, causing harm to communities.
• 📚 There are different types of landslides, including falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows, which have five different categories.
• ⛏️ Human activities such as mining, which involves using explosives, can trigger landslides by creating mini earthquakes.
• 🏗️ Quarrying, which involves excavating stone with explosives, can cause vibrations leading to landslides in slopes.
• 🏡 Land development, particularly altering landscapes for agriculture or housing, makes land more susceptible to landslides during heavy rainfall.
• 🛠️ Excavation and deforestation are significant contributors to landslides by destabilizing slopes.
• 💧 Proper drainage systems can help prevent landslides by directing water away from foundations and preventing soil oversaturation.
• 🌱 Vegetation cover and tree planting on slopes are effective ways to reduce soil erosion and landslide risks.
• 🏡 Construction on slopes should be adapted to the natural slope to minimize the risk of landslides.
• 🗺️ Hazard mapping and public education can help locate areas prone to landslides and prepare communities for potential risks.

Q & A

What is a landslide?

A landslide is the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope that causes harm to the community.

What are the different types of landslides mentioned in the video?

The types of landslides mentioned are falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows, which have five different categories.

How can mining activities trigger landslides?

Mining uses explosives underground, creating mini earthquakes that can cause landslides.

What is the role of quarrying in causing landslides?

Quarrying involves excavation and blasting, which creates vibrations that can trigger landslides on slopes.

How does land development make areas more susceptible to landslides?

Land development alters the shape of slopes or imposes new loads, making the land susceptible to soil liquefaction during heavy rainfall.

Why is deforestation a factor in triggering landslides?

Deforestation removes trees, destabilizing already fragile slopes and making them more prone to landslides.

What are some methods mentioned to prevent landslides?

Methods include checking drainage systems, maintaining vegetation cover, planting trees on slopes, minimizing irrigation, and adapting building designs to natural slopes.

Why is vegetation important in preventing landslides?

Vegetation cover helps protect land from landslides and soil erosion, especially on slopes.

What are the signs that may indicate a potential landslide?

Signs include leaning fences or walls, changes to surroundings, and the oversaturation of soil due to rain or water.

How can hazard mapping help in landslide prevention?

Hazard mapping identifies areas prone to slope failures, helping in determining safer locations for building settlements.