Geological Hazards and Landslides

Cold Weather Safety Precautions

• Keep emergency kits (snow shovels, firewood, clothing) ready.
• Listen to local weather updates for potential weather conditions.
• Stay indoors as much as possible to minimize travel and exposure to cold temperatures.
• Change wet clothing frequently to prevent loss of body heat.
• Maintain proper ventilation when using heaters or stoves to avoid toxic fumes.
• Seek shelter at a designated public shelter if power or heat is lost in your home.
• Watch for symptoms of frostbite (numbness, pale skin)on fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose clothing in layers.

Geological Hazards-Rainfall Induced Landslides

• Rainfall-induced landslides are a significant geological hazard.
• Rainfall is a major factor in determining the likelihood of landslides.
• Slope and soil type are significant factors.
• Tectonic factors can make regions prone to landslides.
• Rainfall magnifies the impact by weakening the soil.
• Satellite mapping is crucial to evaluate vulnerable areas.
• Landslides can result from factors such as steep slopes, weakening of slope materials, weakening of rocks, and overloading.
• Understanding the causes of landslides is just as important as understanding failure modes.
• Failure modes include falling, toppling, sliding, spreading, and flowing.
• Soil composition and rainfall frequency are additional factors affecting failure modes.

Mitigation Strategies for Landslides

• Avoid construction near steep slopes, drainage paths, or areas prone to erosion.
• Use existing hazard maps to assess potential risks.
• Understand the location of water channels for emergency preparedness.
• Prepare a personalized emergency plan, including evacuation routes, contact information, and survival kits.
• Minimize hazards in your home to prevent injuries or property damage (gas, electricity, etc).
• Stay alert during potential landslide events and remain aware of potential threats through updates from local authorities.
• Be aware of debris, boulders, or mud flow, especially near water sources.
• Monitor the flow rate, water color, and appearance for potential landslides.
• Be extra cautious while driving during these periods and watch out for moving materials.

Sinkholes

• Sinkholes occur when land subsides due to processes underneath the surface, often deeper than fault lines.
• Geological factors, such as the underlying soil type, need investigation to understand the cause of a sinkhole.
• Weakened ground can contribute to sinkholes.
• Sinkholes can be categorized by dissolution and suffusion, and combinations of these.
• Water and carbon dioxide in the environment create weak carbonic acid that dissolves bedrock, leading to collapses.
• Man-made activities, like mining, can expose the bedrock to elements that worsen the erosion process.
• Be aware, if a sinkhole appears in your area, by moving away, informing authorities, marking the area to prevent further incidents.

Typhoons (Hydrometeorological Hazards)

• Typhoons are a significant cause of hydrometeorological hazards.
• Their formation and dynamics are crucial to understand associated hazards with them.
• Typhoons originate near the equator due to warm air and trade winds.
• A large area of warm ocean water (27°C or higher) triggers a typhoon's formation.
• Two formation theories exist: Convective theory and Frontal Theory.
• Convective theory implies that a mass of air becomes unstable and moist relative to its surroundings, causing upward movement of air.
• Earth's rotation, centrifugal force, and the outward flow of air contribute to lower pressure and further development of the typhoon.
• A typhoon has four stages: formative, immature, mature, decaying.
• Mature stage is when the maximum wind speed and pressure are attained and the area of circulation has reached its maximum.
• Dissipation happens from lack of moisture over land, or when colder air mass invades the area.
• Formation requires circulation, convergence, and divergence.

Heat Waves

• Heat waves comprise multiple consecutive days with excessively high temperatures.
• They have dramatic consequences that include crop failure, heat stroke, power outages, dehydration & more.
• The World Meteorological Organization defines heat waves when maximum daily temperatures exceed average maximums by 5°C (9°F) over a sustained period.
• Heat related illnesses such as heatstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are potential risks.

Cold Waves

• Cold waves are a period of significant, rapid drop in temperatures within 24 hours.
• Severe cold waves result when minimum temperatures deviate by 5°C from normal, in areas where normal temperatures are below 10°C.
• Extreme cold can cause significant effects like the freezing of pipes, fires being more risky, and impacting power/heating systems.
• Mitigation measures involve appropriate clothing, adequate heating, and preparedness.

This quiz explores various factors contributing to rainfall-induced landslides and the role of technology in managing geological hazards. It covers environmental conditions, mitigation strategies, and safety measures during landslides. Test your understanding of landslide risks and their management!