HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.

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Unit 5.4: What are the causes and effects of landslides?

Self-learning Activities

A. Key Vocabulary Items

1. Use a dictionary and the textbook to study the following vocabulary items.

Vocabulary Meaning Vocabulary Meaning

landslide 山泥傾瀉 cement 混凝土
Black Rainstorm 黑色暴雨 drainage channels 水渠
rock debris 碎石 respond 應付
natural hazard 自然災害 preventive measures 預防措施
gradient 坡度 remedial measures 補救措施
loss of life and property 人命傷亡， strengthen 鞏固
財物損失
disrupt 中斷 monitor 監測
shear strength 抗剪強度 retaining wall 護土牆
shear stress 剪應力 gabion wall 石籠牆
cohesion 內聚力 shotcrete 灌漿混凝土
friction 摩擦力 weepholes 排水孔
gravity 引力 drainage channel 排水渠
collapse 倒塌 regularly 定期
poor maintenance 保養欠佳 regulation 法例
loose 鬆散 restrict 限制
removal of vegetation 移除植被 permission 許可
seeps 滲入 landslip warning 山泥傾瀉警告
granite 花崗岩 alert 提醒
easily weathered 容易風化 rescue team 救援隊伍
extensive areas 廣泛地區 emergency aids 緊急救援
relationship 關係 insurance 保險
occurrence 發生
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.2

A. How do landlides affect our lives?

Refer to Figure 1 on page 28 of the textbook and answer the following questions.

1. a. What were moved down the slope?

Sand, muddy water and rock debris.

b. Were the landslides a natural hazard? If yes, what damage was caused by the landslides?
Yes, they were a natural hazard. They caused road closure which disrupted traffic. Some
people trapped on the highway missed their flights.

2. Refer to the map in Fgure 1.

a. Find out the gradient of slope X-Y.
_______________
290 m
750 m
= 1 in 2.6

b. Is the slope next to the highway steep? Support your answer with map evidence.
Yes, the slope next to the highway is steep. This can be seen by quite closely-packed contour
lines. In fact, the gradient of slope X-Y is 1 in 2.6. This shows that the slope is steep.

3. Based on the information given, can you conclude the causes of the landslides?
Heavy rainfall and steep slopes
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.3

C. What are the effects of landslides?

1. Landslides refer to the sudden and rapid movement of soil or rocks from
slopes.

2 Which of the following are the effects of landslides? Tick ‘’ the correct boxes.

a Disrupt water and power supply  d Disrupt traffic 

b Cause deaths and injuries  e Cause flood □
c Cause earthquake □ f Damage buildings 

D. Why do slopes collapse?

1. There are two forces acting on slopes:

a. Shear strength

Cohesion
Soil grains stick together

The resistance to motion of one

object moving against the other

Friction
Plant roots can hold soil together

i. Shear strength holds slope materials (e.g. rocks and soils) together.

ii. It includes the cohesion of slope materials and the force of friction.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.4

a. Shear stress

i. It pulls the slope materials downslope under the effect of gravity .

ii. It is controlled by two factors:

(1) The gradient of the slope

Slope A Slope B

500 m

250 m

500 m 500 m

(a) Which slope is steeper? _Slope B___________________________________

(b) Which slope has a greater shear stress? _Slope B____________________

(c) Explain your answer in Q(b).

Slope B has a larger gradient / Slope B is a steeper slope. The effect of gravity is stronger in a steeper slope. As
a result, the shear stress is greater.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.5

(2) The weight of slope materials

Before heavy rain After heavy rain

(a) Describe the change in the weight of slope materials after heavy rain?

The weight of slope materials increases after heavy rain.

(b) Explain your answer in Q(a).

After heavy rain, rainwater seeps into slope materials and adds the weight of slope materials.

(c) Describe the change in the shear stress after heavy rain.

The shear stress increases after heavy rain.

(d) Explain your answer in Q(c).

After heavy rain, rainwater seeps into slope materials and adds weight to the slope materials. Therefore, the slope
materials is heavier. This increases the effect of gravity. As a result, the shear stress increases.

2. Why do slopes collapse?

When shear stress is greater than shear strength, the slope becomes unstable and collapse.
Landslide may occur.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.6

F. What are the causes of landslides in Hong Kong?

1. Fill in the blanks with the causes of landslides in the figure below.

a Heavy rainfall Poor maintenance of man-

b
made slope

c Loose soil and rock

materials

f Develop slopes for d Steep slope

buildings and roads
without taking proper
support measures
e Removal of vegetation on
slopes for farming

2. Classify the causes into the types of factors below.

Natural factors: _Heavy rainfall, loose soil and rock materials, steep slope______________

Human factors: __Poor maintenance of man-made slope, removal of vegetation on slopes for

farming, develop slopes for building and roads without taking proper support measures.____
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.7

a. Natural factors
i. Steep slopes

Explain why landslide is usually occur on a steep slope.

The relief of Hong Kong is hilly and there are many steep slopes. When the slopes is steeper,

the effect of gravity is greater. This increases the shear stress and the risk of landslide.

ii. Heavy rainfall

Why the risk of landslide is higher in summer?

In Hong Kong, rainfall is heavy in summer. During heavy rainfall, rainwater seeps into slope

materials. This reduces the cohesion and friction of slope materials. As a result, shear strength

decreases.

In addition, rainwater adds weight to the slope materials. This increases shear stress.

iii. Loose soil and rock materials

i. Many areas in Hong Kong are made up of _granite___.

ii. Granite is easily _weathered__ in hot and wet climate.

iii. The weathered material is _loose___.

iv. _This reduces the cohesion of slope materials and shear strength. Therefore, the risk of

landslide increases.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.8

b. Human factors
i. Cutting slopes

Refer to the figures below.

Cut slopes

Slope
materials

A cut slope

Some slopes are cut for buildings and roads

(1) Describe the gradient of a cut slope.

The gradient of a cut slope is steeper.

(2) How does the cutting of slope increase the risk of landslide?

The gradient of a cut slope become steeper. This increases the effect of gravity and shear

stress.

ii. Farming on slope

Farming on slope
- Farming on slopes often involve the removal of vegetation.

- There are less tree roots to hold slope materials. This reduces the cohesion of slope

materials. As a result, the shear strength decreases and the slope becomes unstable.
 HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.9

iii. Poor maintenance of man-made slope

- The cement cover and drainage channels will break over time when there is no proper

maintenance.

- Broke cement cover and drainage channels will allow more water to seep into the soil. This

reduces the friction and shear strength. At the same time, water adds weight of slope

materials and increases shear stress.

G How do we prepare for and respond to landslides?

1. Strengthening and monitoring slopes

Measures How to help reduce the risk of landslides?

1. It prevents water from seeping into the slope.

2. It helps to drain water.

2 1

1. Cover slope with shotcrete_______

2. _Install weepholes__________________

It support steep slope.

_Retaining wall______________
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.10

Measures How to help reduce the risk of landslides?

It helps drain water.

Install drainage channels

It helps anchor the soil to slope

Soil nails

2. Setting up laws and regulations

Laws are set up to reduce the risk of landslides:
a. Restrict development on steep slopes
b. Require property owners to carry out proper slope maintenance
measures
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.11

3 Setting up warning systems

The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the landslip
warning signal when there is heavy rain. The warning helps to
alert the public to reduce their exposure to possible danger from landslides.

4 Education
The government educates the public to take appropriate actions when the landslip warning is in
force through various media.

When landslip
warning is in force…

Avoid walking or going close to Leave your house if you think it is

steep slopes not safe

HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.12

Summary

I. What are the negative effects of landslides? List THREE of them.

__causes deaths and injuries / damages structures / disrupts traffic, power and water supply/

causes economic losses (any 3)________________________________________________

II. Why do slopes collapse?

Complete the chart below to show the two factors affecting the stability of slopes.

Shear _stress____ Shear _strength

Slope becomes
 pulls slope materials
>  holds slope materials unstable and
(upslope / downslope) collapse
from falling down

materials (upslope /
Increases when Decreases when
downslope)
 Slope gradient (  /  )  Cohesion of slope materials (  /  )

 Weight of slope materials (  /  )  Friction (  /  )

II. What are the causes of landslides in Hong Kong?

Complete the table below to show the causes of landslides in Hong Kong.

Cause of landslide in Hong Kong Shear stress  Shear Strength 

1. Heavy __rainfall_____

 Reduces _cohesion___ and friction of
Natural factor

slope materials

 Adds _weight___ to the slope materials

2. Weathered _granite___ 

produce loose soil and rock materials

3. __steep____ slopes 
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.13

Cause of landslide in Hong Kong Shear stress  Shear Strength 

4. Human activities 

 Cutting slopes for _buildings ___ and roads

factor

without proper support measures in the past

 Removal of _vegetation_____ on slopes for

Human

farming 

5. Poor _maintenance ___ of man-made slopes  

allows seepage of water

IV. How do we prepare for and respond to landslides?

1. Strengthening slopes
Measure Function
Retaining wall To support steep slope

Soil nails To anchor the soil on the slope

Cover slopes with shotcrete To prevent water from seeping

into the slopes

Weepholes To drain water

Drainage channels

2. Setting up laws and regulations

 Sets up laws to restrict development on _steep___ slopes

 Requires property owners to carry out proper slope __maintenance________ measures

3. Setting up __warning_____ system

4. Education
 _educate___ the public about appropriate actions when the landslip warning is in force.
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.14

Name: _____________________ Class: _______(___) Date: _____________

Mark(s): ________ /15

Unit 5.4 : What are the causes and effects of landslides? (Assignment)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (3 marks)

1. What is the gradient of Slope Y shown on the map below?

A. 1:1.6 B. 1:2.5
C. 1:4 D. 1:10 A

2. Which of the following shows the correct relationship between gradient and the risk of
landslide?

A. C.

B. D.

D
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.15

3. Which of the following conditions will increase shear stress?

(1) Steep slopes
(2) Cutting slopes
(3) Heavy rainfall
A. (1) only
B. (1) and (2) only
C. (2) and (3) only D
D. (1), (2) and (3)

SECTION B: Data Reponse Questions (12 marks)

1. Figure 1 shows natural hazard P in an area, as well as some information about this area.
Photograph 1 shows a measure to reduce the risk of natural hazard P.

Figure 1
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.16

Measure Q

Photograph 1

a. Name natural hazard P. (1 mark)

_Natural hazard P is a landslide. _______________________________________

b. What are the adverse effects caused by natural hazard P? (2 marks)

It caused deaths and injuries, damaged houses and cars. Fallen slope materials blocked the road

and disrupted traffic . It also caused economic losses.

c. Why does natural hazard P occur? (7 marks)

The slope is steep (1) with the gradient of 1 in 2.8 (1). This increases the effect of gravity (1)

and results in greater shear stress (1). After heavy rainstorm (1) , more rainwater seeps into the

slope materials (1). This adds the weight of slope materials (1) which increase shear stress (1).

Rainwater also reduces the cohesion (1) and friction of slope materials (1). This reduces shear

strength (1). Deeply weathered granite (1) and removal of vegetation cover (1) reduce the

cohesion of slope materials(1). Shear strength is reduced (1). When shear stress is greater than

shear strength (1), natural hazard P occur.

a. i. Identify Measure Q. (1 mark)

Measure Q is a retaining wall. _________________________________

ii. How does it reduce the risk of landslide? (1 mark)

It support steep slope (1). This increases the shear strength (1) .
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.17

Name: _____________________ Class: _______(___) Date: _____________

Mark(s): ________ /15

Unit 5.4 : What are the causes and effects of landslides? (Quiz)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (3 marks)

1. Which of the following gradients is the steepest?

A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 16
C. 1 in 25 A
D. 1 in 50

2. Why are landslides more common in summer in Hong Kong?

(1) A lot of rainstorms
(2) Dense vegetation on slopes
(3) Plenty of farming activities on slopes
A. (1) only
B. (1) and (2) only
C. (2) and (3) only A
D. (1), (2) and (3)

3. The Hong Kong Observatory often issues the following warning signal in __________.

A. spring
B. summer
C. autumn
D. winter B
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.18

SECTION B: Data Response Questions (12 marks)

1. Figure 1a shows some information of natural hazard A which occurred on 22 May 2013.
Figure 1b shows the daily rainfall record near the location of natural hazard A between two
days.

Natural hazard A

Location of natural hazard

A

A map showing the location of natural hazard A

Figure 1a

The time of natural hazard A occurred

Figure 1b
HKMA K S Lo College S3 Geography/ Unit 5.4/ What are the causes of effects of landslides? /p.19

Refer to Figure 1a.

(a) i. Name natural hazard A. (1 mark)

Natural hazard A is landslide
ii. Describe the impact caused by natural hazard A. (2 marks)
- soil and rock debris blocked the road
- disrupt the road transport
(b) Describe the gradient of the slope that natural hazard A occurred. Give map evidence to
support your answer. (2 marks)
- steep slope / large gradient
- closely-spaced contour line / gradient is 1:1.4
- a cut slope
- increasing the gradient of slope

(c) Refer to Figure 1b. What was the rainfall at the time of natural hazard A? (1 mark)
65-67 mm

(d) Based on the information provided, explain the natural causes of natural hazard A. (4 marks)
The slope where natural hazard A occurred is steep. When the slopes is steeper, the effect of
gravity is greater. This increases the shear stress and the risk of landslide. The rainfall was high
at the time of natural hazard A. During heavy rainfall, rainwater seeped into slope materials.
This reduced the cohesion and friction of slope materials. As a result, shear strength decreased.
In addition, rainwater added weight to the slope materials. This increased shear stress. Hence the
shear stress was greater than the shear strength and the slope became unstable and collapse.

(e) Suggest some measures to strengthen the slope. (2 marks)

- cover slope with shotcrete

- install weepholes
- build retaining wall
- install drainage channels
- install soil nails