The natural environment, even now, in the twenty-first century, is able to present dangerous surprises to humans. Not all phenomena can be prevented in time and secure people from their consequences. However, as you know, warned - means armed. We will get acquainted with what a landslide is and how to cope with it.
Characteristic
Settlements and residential buildings located on the banks of a river, lake, sea, ravine or steep hill can become victims of this cataclysm. He manifests himself in the most inconspicuous way, which is the danger. Over time, the soil begins to move, dragging along all the ground structures. Moreover, a layer of earth, carried away by gravity, can move slowly or quickly, by several meters per year or per minute. The cause of the phenomenon lies in the destructive effects of water. It washes slopes or rocks, saturates them with moisture. Thus, it is possible to determine what a landslide is, which is still considered the most “calm” natural disaster. These phenomena are nothing more than an abrupt shift in the loose masses of soil or rocks along an inclined plane.
The causes of the landslide
An earthquake can move a layer of earth or rock. Human activity can also have a devastating effect. For example, blasting. This natural phenomenon occurs if the stability of rocks or soils is impaired, especially if there is a waterproof layer consisting of clay on the slope. She plays the role of lubricant. With its strong moistening, the risk of soil slipping increases. Between the clay particles, adhesion decreases. We can say that atmospheric water, underground sources and winds serve as a catalyst for the development of a dangerous natural phenomenon. Therefore, soil slipping is most often observed in spring after snowmelt or after heavy rains. About what a landslide is and how to behave when it occurs, should know people whose activities are related to the mountains, or residents of coastal areas. If the soil moves at a speed of more than a meter per day, a pre-designed action plan is needed. In the event of a collapse threat, the population is evacuated.
Effects
A natural phenomenon leads to the formation of the so-called "landslide body". It takes the form of a half ring. In its middle, a lowering forms. As a result of the development, landslides and landslides lead to serious consequences. Pipelines, residential buildings, roads are being destroyed, serious damage is being done to agricultural land. The worst thing that these disasters lead to is the death of people. But the first phenomenon differs from the second in the rate of descent of the masses of soil or rocks. With the collapse, which is most often observed in the mountains, everything happens much faster.
The worst consequences of landslides
An example of the destructive power of this natural phenomenon is the case in Crimea in 2005. This region, especially its southern part, is the most prone to slipping of soil layers. In 1994, natural disasters became a real disaster for Kyrgyzstan. Landslides moving at a speed of hundreds of meters per minute, destroyed many houses, not without human casualties. In Russia, the Volga region is considered the most dangerous regions - the Saratov Region, Volgograd, the Kuban Valley and many regions of Siberia. Krasnodar Territory and the Black Sea coast - a place of frequent occurrence of landslides. In 2006, after the melting of snow and rains in the mountains in Chechnya, their mass gathering was observed. Rocks, the thickness of which was up to two meters, descended from the slopes and caused the destruction of about six dozen residential buildings in several settlements. In the current 2014, there was a giant landslide in Afghanistan, as a result of which more than two thousand people were injured and hundreds of houses were destroyed.
Guide to action
Scientists and specialists working at special landslide stations are exploring what a landslide is, and studying this natural cataclysm. The following signs may signal the approach of a hazard. The doors and windows in the rooms are jammed. From the slope from which the landslide is about to collapse, water begins to ooze. The Ministry of Emergency Situations should be informed about what is happening. In this case, you must act according to the situation. If a danger signal is received, you must first turn off the house, turn off the gas and water supply. After that, prepare for evacuation from the premises that fell into the area of natural disaster. After a landslide, it is very dangerous to be in a room that has suffered from a natural phenomenon. This is only worth doing if the threat has passed. But it is always worth checking the integrity of the gas pipeline and electrical wiring. Then, the integrity of the walls and floors is inspected. During the rescue operation, it is recommended to provide all possible assistance to specialists who eliminate the consequences of landslides and remove injured people from the landslides.