Geological Hazards: Landslide Quiz

Landslides occur when soil and rock move downhill due to gravity.

Natural causes include steep slopes, soil types, water, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions

Human activities like deforestation, building, mining, and vibrations can trigger landslides.

A stable slope means soil and rock remain in place; instability leads to landslides.

Reducing the base of a slope, like cutting or excavating, making it unstable.

Adding weight to a slope—buildings, landfills, water—increasing the risk of landslides

Water increases a slope's weight and weakens the soil. Excessive rain can saturate the ground.

Vegetation helps manage water, stabilizing slopes by reducing erosion and balancing the load.

Removing vegetation increases the risk of landslides, as it removes stabilizing factors.

The gradual settling or sinking of the ground surface due to loss of support.

Withdrawal of groundwater from an aquifer, which can lead to the ground sinking.

A sudden collapse of the ground surface, often formed from a cavity dissolving beneath the ground.

A violent tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific Ocean north of the equator.

A rotating weather system with low-pressure center, wind and precipitation.

Series of ocean waves created by strong winds, a tell-tale sign of a approaching storm.

The ground sinking due to removal or displacement of underground materials.

Ground sinking due to the drying of clay soil.

The rise in ocean water level caused by a typhoon, typically reaching about a meter in height and hitting the shore every 10 seconds.

Landslides can happen when the slope becomes too steep due to factors like weathering or excavation at the base.

A landslide can occur when extra weight is added to a slope, such as building construction, or leaking water sources

As a typhoon gets closer, the waves become larger and arrive more frequently, indicating an increase in intensity.

Cumulus clouds filling the sky about 36 hours before a typhoon signals its potential arrival.

A veil-like layer of cirrus clouds appearing on the horizon indicates a typhoon may be approaching.

Ground subsiding due to slow natural process of dissolving carbonate-rich rocks like limestone by acidic water caused by CO2.

A significant drop in atmospheric pressure, starting around 36 hours before a typhoon, is a key indicator.

Naturally occurring events potentially dangerous to people, infrastructure and environment.

Large, towering Cumulonimbus clouds signal the formation of a thunderstorm. They are formed by rising, moist air.

The process of dissolving limestone by acidic water. Creating voids or empty spaces.

Underground erosion of rocks and soil creates voids or cavities, hence causing ground subsidence.

The sky turns dark due to thick, water-laden Cumulonimbus clouds, indicating an approaching thunderstorm.

Flashes of lightning accompanied by thunder are a clear indication of a thunderstorm, even before rainfall.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere combining with water vapor (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), eventually falling as acid rain.

The three essential components needed for fire to start and sustain itself: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

The initial stage of fire where ignition occurs, but the fire is still small and hasn't spread significantly.

The most intense stage of fire where it reaches its highest temperature and burns all available fuel.

The final stage of fire where the fuel begins to run out, and the fire slowly diminishes.

A wide range of factors that can lead to a fire, including electrical faults, unattended flames, flammable substances, and human negligence.

A device that continuously records atmospheric pressure changes.

An instrument that continuously measures and records air temperature.

Projects a light beam onto clouds to determine cloud base height.

Measures the angle between the ground and the cloud base to determine cloud height.

A balloon filled with gas lighter than air, released to determine cloud base height by measuring time to disappear into clouds.

An instrument that determines wind speed and direction by tracking a hydrogen-filled balloon.

An instrument attached to a balloon that measures temperature, pressure, and humidity in the atmosphere.

Similar to a radiosonde, but also measures wind velocity.