Landslide, Avalanche and Sinkholes

Landslides occur when

• masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope.

• Burning of fossil fuels

• wind ditrection

• poor water management

What is a landslide?

• a shaking of Earth

• soil, rock, and debris sliding down a slope

• an opening in Earth similar to a sinkhole

• an eruption of lava

Which of these is NOT a contributing factor to landslides?

• water

• a trigger

• gravity

• unstable surface

Which choice is a man-made trigger of landslides?

• Earthquake

• Volcanoes

• Blasting

• Erosion

Why do avalanches happen?

• Tremors from far away earthquakes shake snow and ice loose

• Heavy rainfall weighs down on existing snow turning it to ice and it slides down

• Vibrations from loud sounds shatter old ice sheets causing them and the snow on them to fall

• Heavy snowfall lands on layers of old snow and ice causing them to become unstable

Where do avalanches occur?

• Mountains

• Deserts

• Lake regions

• Polar ice cap

What part of an avalanche might you see if you go into the mountains?

• Signs detailing the risk of an avalanche

• Goats and fir trees

• First aid stations and wayhouses

• Stations where you can stop and ask directions

When are avalanches most likely to happen?

• After a heavy snow storm drops at least 12 inches of new snow on top of old snow

• After an earthquake

• After a rain storm drops at least 12 inches of water on top of old snow

• After major celebrations that include fireworks

What are sinkholes?

• Holes that form at the bottom of the ocean

• Holes that form in the ground when rocks and dirt are washed away under the surface

• Holes that form near coastlines when the waves are very high

• Small holes that form at the mouths of rivers and are hard to find

A large mass of ice formed from snow, moving very slowly over time.

• Volcano

• Glacier

• Pangea

• Fossil