ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a sloped section of land.

Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography

Loading ...

Morgan Stanley

A landslide is the movement of rock , earth , or debris down a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused by rain , earthquakes , volcanoes , or other factors that make the slope unstable . Geologists , scientists who study the physical formations of Earth, sometimes describe landslides as one type of mass wasting . A mass wasting is any downward movement in which Earth's surface is worn away. Other types of mass wasting include rockfalls and the flow of shore deposits called alluvium . Near populated areas, landslides present major hazards to people and property. Landslides cause an estimated 25 to 50 deaths and $3.5 billion in damage each year in the United States.

What Causes Landslides?

Landslides have three major causes: geology , morphology , and human activity.

Geology refers to characteristics of the material itself. The earth or rock might be weak or fractured , or different layers may have different strength and stiffness.

Morphology refers to the structure of the land. For example, slopes that lose their vegetation to fire or drought are more vulnerable to landslides. Vegetation holds soil in place, and without the root systems of trees , bushes , and other plants , the land is more likely to slide away.

A classic morphological cause of landslides is erosion , or weakening of earth due to water. In April 1983, the U.S. town of Thistle, Utah, experienced a devastating landslide brought on by heavy rains and rapidly melting snow . A mass of earth eventually totaling 305 meters (1,000 feet) wide, 61 meters (200 feet) thick, and 1.6 kilometers (one mile) long slid across the nearby Spanish Fork River, damming it and severing railroad and highway lines. The landslide was the costliest in U.S. history, causing over $400 million in damage and destroying Thistle, which remains an evacuated ghost town today.

Human activity, such as agriculture and construction , can increase the risk of a landslide. Irrigation , deforestation , excavation , and water leakage are some of the common activities that can help destabilize, or weaken, a slope.

Types of Landslides

There are many ways to describe a landslide. The nature of a landslide's movement and the type of material involved are two of the most common.

Landslide Movement

There are several ways of describing how a landslide moves. These include falls , topples , translational slides , lateral spreads , and flows. In falls and topples, heavy blocks of material fall after separating from a very steep slope or cliff. Boulders tumbling down a slope would be a fall or topple. In translational slides, surface material is separated from the more stable underlying layer of a slope. An earthquake may shake the loosen top layer of soil from the harder earth beneath in this type of landslide. A lateral spread or flow is the movement of material sideways, or laterally. This happens when a powerful force, such as an earthquake, makes the ground move quickly, like a liquid.

Landslide Material

A landslide can involve rock, soil, vegetation, water, or some combination of all these. A landslide caused by a volcano can also contain hot volcanic ash and lava from the eruption . A landslide high in the mountains may have snow and snowmelt . Volcanic landslides, also called lahars , are among the most devastating type of landslides. The largest landslide in recorded history took place after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the U.S. state of Washington. The resulting flow of ash, rock, soil, vegetation and water, with a volume of about 2.9 cubic kilometers (0.7 cubic miles), covered an area of 62 square kilometers (24 square miles).

Other Factors

Another factor that might be important for describing landslides is the speed of the movement. Some landslides move at many meters per second, while others creep along at an centimeter or two a year. The amount of water, ice , or air in the earth should also be considered. Some landslides include toxic gases from deep in Earth expelled by volcanoes. Some landslides, called mudslides , contain a high amount of water and move very quickly. Complex landslides consist of a combination of different material or movement types.

Martian Landslide In December 2008, scientists announced that they had found evidence of the largest landslide ever. Because of a giant asteroid impact billions of years ago, the smooth northern hemisphere of Mars is sharply separated from the irregular southern highlands. Arabia Terra, a previously unexplained plateau between the two regions, is thought to have been formed by an enormous landslide immediately after the impact. The land mass that slid north to form Arabia Terra was the size of the entire United States!

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Illustrators

Educator reviewer, last updated.

April 26, 2024

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service .

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources

Essay on Landslide in English – Best for class 6,7,8,9,10

Table of content, introduction, causes of landslides, impacts of landslides, preventing and mitigating landslides, responding to landslides, faq about landslide.

Today, In this article we are going to write essay on Landslide in English in 500 words. . This article is about Landslide.

This post can help the school students who are looking “Landslide par nibandh English mein” . We briefing about “Landslide in the English” which is very useful for student.

This essay on “Landslide” is generally useful for class 7, class 8, class 9 and 10 .

Essay on Landslides in English

Simple essay on Landslide in English

Landslides are a natural phenomenon that occurs when soil, rock, or other materials on a slope or hillside become unstable and move downhill rapidly. The landslide comes in the category of a Natural Disaster . Landslides can be triggered by various factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and human activities. Landslides can have severe consequences such as loss of lives, property damage, and infrastructure disruption. Therefore, understanding landslides and implementing effective measures to prevent them is crucial.

Landslides can be triggered by various factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and human activities. Heavy rainfall can saturate the soil, making it heavy and more susceptible to sliding. Earthquakes can also cause landslides by shaking the soil and destabilizing slopes. Human activities such as deforestation, excavation, and construction can also destabilize slopes and trigger landslides.

The impacts of landslides can be catastrophic. They can result in loss of lives, property damage, and infrastructure disruption. Landslides can cause soil erosion, block roads, and railways, and damage bridges and buildings. Landslides can also have long-term environmental impacts by altering natural landscapes and habitats.

Preventing and mitigating landslides requires a multi-faceted approach. Land-use planning and zoning regulations can limit development in high-risk areas and prevent human activities that can destabilize slopes. Implementing effective drainage systems and retaining walls can also prevent landslides. Monitoring and early warning systems can provide advance notice of potential landslides and allow for evacuation and response measures.

Responding to landslides requires a coordinated effort between various agencies and stakeholders. Evacuation plans and emergency response protocols can save lives and prevent injuries. Coordination between emergency responders, local governments, and affected communities can help to contain and mitigate the impacts of landslides.

Landslides are a natural phenomenon that can have severe consequences. Addressing the issue of landslides requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, mitigation, and response measures. Individuals and governments must take action to reduce the risk of landslides and protect communities and infrastructure. By working together, we can create a safer and more sustainable world.

You May Also Like

  • Essay on Volcano in English
  • Essay on Wildfire in English
  • What are landslides?

Landslides are the rapid movement of soil, rock, or other materials down a slope or hillside. They can be triggered by natural causes such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, or by human activities such as construction and deforestation.

  • What are the causes of landslides?

Landslides can be triggered by a variety of factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and human activities. Heavy rainfall can saturate the soil, making it heavy and more susceptible to sliding. Earthquakes can also cause landslides by shaking the soil and destabilizing slopes. Human activities such as deforestation, excavation, and construction can also destabilize slopes and trigger landslides.

  • What are the impacts of landslides?

Landslides can have severe impacts such as loss of lives, property damage, and infrastructure disruption. Landslides can cause soil erosion, block roads, and railways, and damage bridges and buildings. They can also have long-term environmental impacts by altering natural landscapes and habitats.

  • How can we prevent and mitigate landslides?
  • How can we respond to landslides?
  • Why is addressing the issue of landslides important?

Addressing the issue of landslides is important for protecting communities, preserving infrastructure, and maintaining environmental sustainability. Landslides can have devastating effects on human lives, property, and infrastructure, and taking action to prevent and mitigate landslides is crucial for creating a safer and more sustainable world.

We hope you like this post about essay on Landslide in English . We are very glad to help the students to do their homework in an effective way. This was a “Landslide ka essay English mein” . This type of questions generally asked the students in their schools to write essay on Landslide.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Essay Topic Generator
  • Summary Generator
  • Thesis Maker Academic
  • Sentence Rephraser
  • Read My Paper
  • Hypothesis Generator
  • Cover Page Generator
  • Text Compactor
  • Essay Scrambler
  • Essay Plagiarism Checker
  • Hook Generator
  • AI Writing Checker
  • Notes Maker
  • Overnight Essay Writing
  • Topic Ideas
  • Writing Tips
  • Essay Writing (by Genre)
  • Essay Writing (by Topic)

Natural Disaster Essay: How to Write, Topics, & Examples

essay on landslide 500 words

What would you do if someone told you that a tsunami would wipe out your house tomorrow afternoon? You won’t believe them. It always seems that natural disasters happen in someone else’s life. But every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from various natural calamities. This article attempts to systemize the chaos of nature for you to write an impressive natural disasters essay. You will get acquainted with the seven types of disasters, get a long list of topics and examples of natural disaster essay in 200 words and 300 words.

  • 🌪️ Natural Disaster: The Basics
  • 💡 114 Essay Topics
  • 📑 Outlining Your Essay
  • 🌊 Essay Sample (200 Words)
  • 🏜️ Essay Sample (300 Words)

🌪️ Natural Disaster Essay: What Is It About?

A natural disaster is a large-scale meteorological or geological event that can to cause loss of life or massive damage to people’s property. Floods and severe storms are the most reported acts of nature in the US, but other incidents also happen from time to time. That is why you can dedicate your essay on natural disasters to earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, or tornadoes.

The picture lists the 7 main types of natural disasters.

💡 114 Natural Disasters Essay Topics

What could you write in a natural disaster essay? You can invent your own topic about various types of natural disasters, their causes, and aftermath, or their impact on human life and the economy. Depending on the discipline, you can also describe historic calamities that changed the direction of human civilization. Alternatively, choose one from our comprehensive list below.

  • Why are the Great Plains of the central US ideal for tornado formation?
  • Global Warming and Climate Change Legislation .
  • Research the atmospheric parameters inside a tornado.
  • Energy, Technology and Climate Change .
  • Why are the boundaries of Tornado Alley in the US so debatable?
  • The global climate change as a manmade disaster.
  • Which actions should you never do when a tornado is nearby?
  • Volunteers’ Role During Disasters .
  • Suggest your opinion on the best action strategy in a hurricane.
  • The Columbia Disaster and safety violations.
  • What were the causes and effects of a flood?
  • Analysis on Climate Change and Global Impact .
  • Describe the most devastating wildfires in the US and find their common features.
  • Earthquake Engineering Considerations and Methods .
  • Brainstorm ideas to prevent wildfires.
  • Global warming and the greenhouse effect.
  • How can building dams cause earthquakes?
  • Climate Change and Its Impact on Freshwater .
  • Analyze the impact of droughts on tourism .
  • Climate Change Effect on Coral Reef Communities .
  • Describe the most extended droughts in human history.
  • Marine and Coastal Climate Change in Australia .
  • Write an essay on natural disasters and earthquakes in particular.
  • Air pollution and mortality rates
  • What are the distinctive features of droughts in third-world countries ?
  • Global Warming, Climate Change, and Society’s Impact on the Environment .
  • Study the relationship between global warming and droughts.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Hurricane .
  • Evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
  • Social Media’s Role in Disaster Response .
  • Classify the effects of natural disasters in an essay.
  • Sustainability and Climate Change .
  • Describe the 1815 volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora, Indonesia.
  • Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Impact, Response .
  • Each new leap of civilization causes new responses of nature.
  • Animal Exploitation. Animal Agriculture and Climate Change .
  • Think of any positive effects a volcanic eruption may have.
  • In Arizona, Collaboration Averts Water Disaster .
  • Children are the poorest victims of any disaster.
  • A Solution to Remedy Climate Change .
  • Which ways of disaster risk reduction do you know?
  • An Emergency Operations Center During Hurricane Harvey .
  • Research the current problems in disaster management.
  • Disaster Recovery Plan for Information Technology Organizations.
  • Analyze ineffective disaster management in an essay about hurricane Katrina.
  • Nurse Competencies and Scope of Practice in Disaster.
  • What should a household have at home in the case of a disaster?
  • Hurricane Katrina: The Powerful Natural Disaster .
  • Describe the humanitarian disaster during the drought in Somalia.
  • Technology in Disaster Preparedness .
  • Can man-made disasters entail natural calamities?
  • Disaster Management in Philadelphia .
  • Review the criteria for disaster classification.
  • Jeddah Floods and Adaptation Strategies in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia .
  • Search for real examples of hybrid disasters.
  • Natural Disasters Prevention: A Tabletop Exercise .
  • Who is responsible for casualties after a natural disaster?
  • The Sand Storms: Remote Sensing and Meteorological Variables .
  • List the lessons we could learn from our past disaster experience.
  • Fire Development, Growth, and Spreads .
  • The ice storm and silver thaw: A gentle disaster.
  • Fire Crisis Management in the UAE .
  • Rockslides: A pressing issue for rural areas.
  • 1d – 2d Flood Modeling Using PCSWMM .
  • What are the psychological benefits of disaster preparedness?
  • Structural Control and Origin of Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
  • When does a blizzard become a disaster?
  • Extreme Weather Events + Geographies of Globalization .
  • Research the causes of dust storms and name the affected areas.
  • Strategies for Sustainable Integrated Oil Disaster Management in West Africa .
  • Why did the San Francisco earthquake (1906) cause devastating fires?
  • Causes of Climate Change .
  • What could be done to help people who lost their homes in an earthquake?
  • Book Review: Energy and Global Climate Change .
  • Analyze the role of World Vision in humanitarian aid after disasters.
  • Tangshan earthquake of 1976 showed that high population density is disastrous.
  • The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Climate Change .
  • Rock avalanche: Why water is the most powerful geological agent.
  • Aspects of Climate Change .
  • When do extreme weather conditions turn into a disaster?
  • Climate Change: Reasons, Kyoto Protocol .
  • Write an article on shelter-providing organizations for disaster victims.
  • Establishing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan .
  • Describe earthquake cycles in Haiti.
  • Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food .
  • How can nature damage ecology in natural disasters?
  • Climate Change. Problems. Effects .
  • Disaster management should include psychological help to the survivors.
  • Climate Change Causes: Position and Strategies .
  • Suggest ways to prevent damage caused by debris flow.
  • HAT 4: Disaster in Franklin Country.
  • How did the lack of evacuation after the Bhola cyclone (1970) result in the massive death toll?
  • The Effects of Climate Change .
  • The most significant Yellow River flood: 2 million deaths in 1887.
  • Resilience Building Against Natural Disasters in the Caribbean Islands .
  • Sinkholes: A natural disaster or attraction for cavers and water-divers?
  • Global Climate Change and Health.
  • Describe the dynamics of landslides in California .
  • Which early-warning systems to detect avalanches do you know?
  • Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action .
  • Pyroclastic flow: The deadliest volcanic hazard.
  • Communication During Disaster Response .
  • Describe the volcano eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the Herculaneum and Pompeii.
  • Disaster Planning for Families .
  • Disaster prevention measures: Investments that save millions of lives.
  • Natural Disaster Management and Historical Prospective Study in the UAE .
  • Research the PTSD in survivors of natural disasters.
  • Are the latest disasters the nature’s fightback to humanity?
  • Estimate the human impact on natural disasters.
  • List the countries with the largest number of disasters and find their standard features.
  • Everyday Communication on Climate Change .
  • Insurance coverage against disasters: Our inevitable future.
  • Emergency Planning Before and After Hurricane Katrina.
  • One natural disaster could bring the world to its end.

Haven’t found a suitable topic in the list above? Use our essay topic generator to get more ideas.

📑 Natural Disaster Essay Outline

Outlines differ, depending on the assigned length and essay type. It is a reference sample. Feel free to modify it, extending some points and narrowing the others. Still, the overall structure should remain the same. We have chosen the “Causes of Earthquakes” essay topic for demonstrative purposes.

  • Hook . There are millions of possible ways to start your essay, from a rhetorical question to any imaginable scenario. The point is to grab the reader’s attention, showing them that your writing is unique and creative. For example: We are always concerned with the consequences of a natural disaster. But what brought us into such a calamity in the first place?
  • Concepts. Natural disasters can be studied in the framework of various disciplines. But in all cases, they are linked with geology, biology, chemistry, geography, and some other subjects with broad and complicated terminology. Explain the terms that could be elusive for your readers here. For example: For the purposes of this essay, an earthquake is a sudden displacement of the land surface.
  • Background. How did you come to think of this problem? Why is it topical? The causes of earthquakes are numerous and often unrelated. To understand them as a system, we need a strict classification.
  • Thesis statement . Clearly state the aim of your essay. This essay attempts to group the causes of earthquakes to determine which factors can be tackled by human forces.
  • Transition sentence. It comes in the previous sentence (for paragraphs 2 and 3) and ensures smooth reading. E.g.: Tectonic movements are the most powerful causes of earthquakes, and we cannot influence them. But still, there is something we could do.
  • Topic sentence . What will you explain in this paragraph? Human interference with nature can also cause earthquakes.
  • Evidence. How can you confirm the topic sentence? Heavy clubbing of dam water can disturbance the crustal balance. Nuclear bombing causes shockwaves that penetrate the surface, changing the tectonic plates and their natural alignment. Mining can also cause earthquakes by removing extensive volumes of stone from under the ground.
  • Warrant. Why does the reader need this information, and how does it relate to the thesis statement? Knowing these facts can help us change the old-fashioned approaches and lessen the ecological damage to our planet.
  • Summary. Collect and summarize all your arguments here. Tectonic movements, volcano eruptions, and geological faults cause a significant part of earthquakes worldwide. But various man-made causes bring us to the same result.
  • Rephrased thesis. We cannot stop the tectonic movements or hinder volcanic eruptions, but we can use natural resources with more care.

🌊 Natural Disaster Essay 200 Words

Below you will find a short natural disaster essay for 200 words. It explores the causes and effects of the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Tsunami in Japan: Causes and Effects The proximity of the deadliest disasters is often unpredictable. As a result, the consequences of a tsunami can exceed any possible expectations. This essay looks for the decisive factors that caused the tsunami in Japan in 2011 and its results for the local population and other countries. The causes were out of human control and could not be predicted. The Pacific plate moved in the horizontal and vertical plane, advancing beneath the Eurasian Plate. It displaced the seawater above and entailed several destructive waves. The disaster had enormous consequences for the Japanese people and their economy. It killed almost 16,000 people, although the country had a sophisticated alarming system. Besides, the earthquake caused fires and explosions at oil factories. The cooling system of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant went out of service. Two people were lost, and many were injured. Nissan, like many other large corporations, had to suspend the operation of its four factories. The economic losses due to the catastrophe amounted to 300 billion dollars. But the disaster moved to other places. On 24 March 2011, the earthquake in the east of Myanmar claimed the lives of 60 people and destroyed 300 buildings. As we can see, everything is linked on our planet. Movements of the earth’ crust in any part of the world bring about earthquakes and tsunami in other countries. The series of waves in Japan was caused by the underwater earthquake and had horrible consequences.

🏜️ Natural Disaster Essay 300 Words

If your assignment is longer, you will have to provide your opinion in the essay. Or, you can make your argumentation more detailed. Below you can check our 300-word sample of a disaster essay.

The Economic Effects of the Dust Bowl Drought When someone says “a natural disaster,” we usually imagine an earthquake or a tsunami. Buildings are destroyed, and property is lost. But imagine a scenario of a devastating drought, which happened in the US in the 1930s. Its effect is less visible because it lies in the domain of the national economy. This essay reveals the economic consequences of the Dust Bowl drought. During the third decade of the XX century, strong winds raised choking dust in the southern states, from Texas to Nebraska. People and animals died as the crops failed in the area for several years in a row. The Dust Bowl lasted for almost a decade and was also called “the Dirty Thirties.” This drought intensified the impact of the Great Depression. Local farmers had to migrate to urban areas in search of better conditions and other sources of living. About 2.5 million people moved West from the worst-hit states, namely New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. But they found only discrimination, meager salaries, and inhuman working conditions. Many had to live in tents near irrigation ditches. They were called “Okies,” a disdainful name for migrants of any state. Regular rains returned to the southern states by the end of 1939, closing the drought. However, the economic aftermath persisted. The counties that suffered the most failed to recover the agricultural value of their land till the 1950s. Thus, the local population kept decreasing for twenty years. Although a drought does not ruin property, it can tangibly lower human life levels. The Dust Bowl threw people into a lose-lose situation. Their farms were unfit for gaining any profit, and the new places of living gave them no better opportunities. It took two decades to restore public wellbeing in the Southern States.

Researching the worst acts of nature can teach you to value what you have. We hope that this article has made your creative writing more manageable and pleasurable. You can write an essay of any length by simply following our outline. All you will need to do after that is make a cover page for it.

Please share your natural disaster essay ideas in the comments below.

❓ Natural Disaster Essay FAQ

How to write an essay about natural disaster.

Your approach should depend on the discipline. But in any case, you can discuss the types of disasters, their consequences, characteristics, and preconditions. The excellent idea is to select a past disastrous event and analyze it from the economic, social, or individual point of view.

What Is a Disaster Essay?

A disaster essay explores the stages of a natural or man-made calamity and seeks the possible ways to prevent similar emergencies in the future. An article on disaster management studies the correct and efficient activities to lower the casualties and property loss after a disaster.

What Is Disaster Preparedness Essay?

This type of writing analyzes the level of readiness of a region or municipality to an unexpected natural disaster. You can highlight the vulnerable groups of the population that will suffer the most. Or, you may invent measures that could reduce the disaster response and coping time. Such assignments teach you strategic thinking and a systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Describe a Natural Disaster for an Essay?

You should specify that the event was unexpected and led to many deaths and property loss. The most critical things include the causes of the disaster, its progress and duration, and the negative consequences for the locals. You can also specify the negative effect on the economy and humanitarian condition of the area.

🔗 References

  • Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
  • Types of Disasters | SAMHSA
  • Natural Disaster – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
  • Natural Disasters – National Geographic
  • What Is Disaster Management: Prevention and Mitigation

FREE K-12 standards-aligned STEM

curriculum for educators everywhere!

Find more at TeachEngineering.org .

  • TeachEngineering
  • All About Landslides: Land on the Run

Lesson All About Landslides: Land on the Run

Grade Level: 5 (3-5)

Time Required: 15 minutes

Lesson Dependency: None

Subject Areas: Earth and Space

essay on landslide 500 words

  • Print lesson and its associated curriculum

Curriculum in this Unit Units serve as guides to a particular content or subject area. Nested under units are lessons (in purple) and hands-on activities (in blue). Note that not all lessons and activities will exist under a unit, and instead may exist as "standalone" curriculum.

  • Engineering to Prevent Natural Disasters: Save Our City!
  • Scale Model of the Earth
  • Drifting Continents
  • Faulty Movement
  • Testing Model Structures: Jell-O Earthquake in the Classroom
  • Seismology in the Classroom
  • Mercalli Scale Illustrated
  • Magnitude of the Richter Scale
  • Ready to Erupt!
  • Mini-Landslide
  • Survive That Tsunami! Testing Model Villages in Big Waves
  • Floodplain Modeling
  • Tornado Damage!
  • A Tornado in My State?
  • Build It Better!

TE Newsletter

Engineering connection, learning objectives, worksheets and attachments, more curriculum like this, pre-req knowledge, introduction/motivation, associated activities, lesson closure, vocabulary/definitions, user comments & tips.

Engineers help design and create healthier tomorrows

Landslides can be deadly and destructive to people and property. Engineers work with scientists to determine locations at which landslides might occur, how to minimize the damage, and how to prevent the actions of people from contributing to landslides. Engineers also design test facilities to simulate and study landslide characteristics, develop measuring devices to study real-world landslides, model landslides with computer simulations, and design structures to channel existing landslides around/under existing human-made structures such as buildings and highways.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Describe the basic characteristics of a landslide.
  • Relate that gravity and friction are major factors in landslides.
  • Explain several contributors to landslides: heavy rain, runoff water, earthquakes, human activities, forest fires, etc.
  • List several ways that engineers reduce the danger and destruction of landslides.

Educational Standards Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

Ngss: next generation science standards - science.

View aligned curriculum

Do you agree with this alignment? Thanks for your feedback!

State Standards

Colorado - science.

A basic understanding of gravity and friction is critical to understanding landslides. A familiarity with geological events (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis) is helpful to understanding landslide causes and effects.

How many of you like to slide down sliding boards (or slides) on the playground? So, what makes you slide down the sliding board? (Possible answers: It is slippery, it is steep, gravity pulls you towards the ground.) Has anyone ever been sledding? Or slid down a hill covered in wet grass or mud? The same thing happened to you each in these cases — it was slippery (water reduces friction ) and gravity pulled you down the hill. How did you get started? Did you run and then slide, or did someone push you?

Has anyone heard of a landslide ? It is a long word made up of two shorter words — land and slide. What do you think it means? Just like you slid down the sliding board, smaller pieces of land (such as sand, gravel, dirt and rock) can slide down hills, too.

Who likes to play in sandboxes or in the sand on the beach? Have you ever made your own mountain of sand and tried to dig a tunnel through it? What happens? (The sand keeps sliding down and trying to fill the hole as you dig.) This is a good example of how some landslides work.

Classroom Demonstration:

(optional, materials and instructions provided in the Mini-Landslide Activity in this lesson and unit) The debris flow flume classroom demonstration (see Figure 1) is a small-scale model of the U.S. Geological Survey debris flow flume (see Figure 5 and report in the References section). In this lesson, we refer to it as the mini-landslide tester.

Diagram shows a chute, containing some sand at the top, angled into a tub, with a small house at the bottom of the chute.

Position the slide so it is nearly horizontal and place a scoop of moist sand at the top of the chute. Tell the students that this represents material on top of a hill that could potentially slide. Place a miniature house in the tub in the path of the landslide. Increase the angle and ask students to guess when they think it will slide, and whether or not it will hit the small houses in the path below.

Repeat the demonstration, raising the slide to almost as steep an angle as before and asking the students what factors they think may trigger a landslide. One answer is earthquakes, so shake the slide to trigger the landslide. Another answer is heavy rain or runoff water. If the students do not come up with the answer of water immediately, ask them if they have ever slid on a Slip'n'Slide (plastic sheet sprayed with water from a sprinkler or hose). To demonstrate this, add a cup of water to the sand. Observe the extent of the landslide in each instance. Explain that the water both adds weight to the material and reduces friction (just like water reduces friction on the Slip'n'Slide)

The same thing happens to land on hillsides and mountainsides everywhere on our planet. Landslides and mudslides can be very dangerous (to wildlife, forests, people) and cause lots of property damage (to houses, roads) by the flow of debris . Landslides and mudslides are powerful and can move soil, gravel, rocks (see Figure 2), plants, trees, houses, cars, roads and people.

Photo of a man looking tiny standing next to a huge boulder.

Engineers carefully study landslides to figure out ways to protect people and property. This small model is similar to how engineers conduct experiments to see if real landslides would put nearby buildings in danger. In a forest in Oregon, they have a great big version of this slide that is as long as a football field, which they used as a model to experiment with landslides. It is important for us to know how landslides work because, just like the little model house that was hit by sand, whole cities have been buried by landslides.

Another way engineers study landslides is by making computer models of them. They use math and all of the information they collect from experiments to simulate (or model) landslides in different locations under different conditions. This is a lot easier than building a real one!

Another cool thing that engineers do to study landslides is build little boulders with all sorts of sensors in them. They place these special rocks in areas that experience landslides regularly. When a landslide occurs, the little boulder with the instruments records the distance, speeds and forces that the boulder experiences. In this way, engineers and scientists gather more data and see if the landslide and computer models are giving them the right answers.

In Canada, engineers determined that landslides were always occurring in one area, causing damage to local homes and blocking the highway. They came up with a solution to build a structure to channel the landslide around the houses and under the highway (see Figure 6). There are lots of ways that engineers help us understand and keep us safe from landslides! Students can conduct their own investigation with the Mini-Landslide activity to understand the properties and variables that affect them.

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

Use the Landslide Images PowerPoint presentation as a helpful classroom tool. Show the PowerPoint presentation, or print out the slides to use with an overhead projector.

Landslides are a significant geologic hazard throughout many parts of the world, causing massive debris flows that impact people and property (see Figure 3). The U.S. Geological Survey defines landslides as the downslope movement of rock, soil or artificial fill under the influence of gravity. Landslides occur when the balance between the pull of gravity on material on a slope and the forces (friction and strength of material) acting to hold it in place is upset by some change. These changes, or triggers, are commonly either increased water content or rearrangement of the load on the slope. Earthquakes are also common triggers of landslides in many parts of the world.

Aerial photo showing sediment poured around roads, buildings and skyscrapers in a valley and alluvial fan below mountains.

Landslides can occur at an imperceptible rate, with the land matter moving only centimeters per year. Or, landslides can be very rapid, with land matter traveling at tens of meters per second. They have the power to move virtually anything in their path. Although landslides are primarily associated with mountainous regions, they can also occur in areas of generally low relief. In low-relief areas, landslides occur as human-caused cut-and-fill failures (roadways and building excavations, river bluff failures, lateral spreading landslides, collapse of mine-waste piles [especially coal], and a wide variety of slope failures associated with quarries and open-pit mines).

Landslide Triggers

Landslides occur when there is compromise in the stability of the land formation, or a trigger. Triggers can be naturally-occurring, human-made or a combination of the two:

  • Removal of support: Removal of material from either erosion or excavation at the base of a slope that previously supported upslope material can reduce stability resulting in an immediate or eventual landslide.
  • Removal of vegetation: Vegetation absorbs moisture and root structures increase soil stability. Consequently, forest fires and clear-cutting increase the risk of landslides.
  • Addition of moisture: The addition of moisture is the most common cause of landslides. Some soils (such as clay) are hard when dry, but transform into soft mud when moisture is added. This reduces the shear strength of the soil and can result in landslides. Also, water pressure within the porosity of a soil has the effect of "inflating" the pore spaces and reducing the frictional forces between soil particles. This loss of friction can result in a rapid landslide.
  • Addition of weight: Any additional weight at the top of a slope, including water, equates to increased force that the slope must support. If the added weight exceeds the shear strength or increases the pore pressure of the soils below, landslides result.
  • Oversteepening: The addition of material to the top of a slope can increase the angle that the slope can support (angle of repose). Often, human-caused erosion, excavation or grading results in slopes that exceed the angle of repose.
  • Vibrations: Movement from vibrations can instantaneously separate materials from each other, reducing friction and triggering a landslide. These vibrations can occur from earthquakes, blasting, heavy equipment and loud noises.

Types of Landslides

Landslides are described and classified in various ways depending upon the material(s) involved, mode of movement, rate of movement, and the water, air or ice content of the landslide material (see Figure 4).

Diagram shows rotational landslide, translational landslide, block slide, rockfall, topple, debris flow, debris avalanche, earthflow, creep and lateral spread types of landslides.

Engineering Applications

Black/white photo of a concrete chute up a hillside with a rush of soil coming down, banked by a set of stairs to the top.

  • Debris chute for studying landslide dynamics: (This is the basis for this lesson's demonstration and activity) Since it is difficult to observe and measure real landslides, the U.S. Geological Survey engineers and scientists constructed a scale model flume in Oregon to conduct controlled experiments on debris flows. The flume (see Figure 5), is a concrete channel 95 m (310 ft) long, 2 m (6.6 ft) wide, and 1.2 m (4 ft) deep that slopes 31° (60%), an angle typical of terrain in which natural debris flows originate. Big bolts and concrete pads anchor it to the soil and rock. This debris flow flume recreates perhaps the most dangerous types of landslides and mudslides, those that end in an alluvial fan (see Figure 3). To create a debris flow, a variety of materials (soil, rocks, gravel) are placed behind a steel gate at the top, saturated with water and released. Sensors in the flume floor measure sliding and colliding forces in the flows. Windows in the side of the flume allow flows to be observed and photographed as they sweep past. Measurements from this experimental debris flow help engineers create computer models to forecast debris-flow behavior and develop technologies to mitigate the destructive effects of debris flow from landslides.
  • Debris flume to redirect flow: An excellent example of landslide prevention by redirection may be found in British Columbia, Canada, where a debris chute resulted in multiple landslides that obstructed a highway. To protect the highway from future landslides; engineers built a retention structure to channel the landslide around the houses and under the highway (essentially a landslide underpass; see Figure 6-left). To do this, the stream bed was cleared, straightened and deepened to guide the debris flow.
  • Smart boulder: Engineers designed an instrumented "smart boulder" (or "dumpling" as it is sometimes called) to gather information on the vigorous conditions within debris flows. The .3 m-diameter, 20 mm-thick, steel-walled instrument can monitor 3D accelerations, impact force, vibrational force, pressures and temperature conditions as it is carried in debris flows. Since flume experiments and mathematical models have limitations, studying full-scale debris flows collects data to validate and improve computer models, reducing the scaling effects of small-experiments.
  • Computer modeling to determine stability during earthquakes: A real or hypothesized landslide-prone slope can be modeled with different earthquake scenarios to determine whether a landslide would be probable under given conditions.

Two photos: (left) A concrete-covered hillside and enclosed stretch of highway. (right) Snow-covered mountain with a black river of debris pouring from the crater down the slope into the valley below.

Relationship to Other Natural Disasters

  • Earthquakes are the most common trigger for landslides.
  • Landslides often coincide with torrential downpours of rain or massive snowmelt runoffs -conditions that often trigger flooding.
  • Wildfires can also be a direct cause of landslides. The removal of vegetation from slopes decreases the stability of the soil because root structures that provide soil stability and absorb water are missing.
  • Coastal landslides and underwater landslides can cause tsunamis.
  • Volcanic eruptions can trigger massive landslides. One of the largest in U.S. history was a massive debris flow that resulted from a Mount St. Helens eruption (see Figure 6-right). Volcanic landslides are often referred to as lahars.
  • An avalanche is a landslide involving a large amount of ice, snow and rock falling quickly down the side of a mountain.

Watch this activity on YouTube

The landslides that we watched in the demonstration (and activity) happen very quickly. Some landslides take a long time, creeping along, centimeter by centimeter. They are not as dangerous to human lives, but they are just as destructive when it comes to destroying buildings and property. Gravity and friction are major factors in landslides. Gravity pulls the soil and dirt of a landslide down a slope that has become slippery. What are some things that affect gravity and friction in landslides? (Possible answers: Heavy rain, runoff water.)

Do you think that a landslide is more likely to occur on a hillside covered with trees and bushes, or one that is bare dirt? Hillsides with trees and shrubs are much more stable. The roots hold the earth in place and absorb lots of the water that makes landslides much worse. What do you think happens when people cut down all of the trees on a hillside, or a wildfire burns away all the trees and plants? That's right, landslides become much more likely. So imagine an area that just had a forest fire. If the fire is followed by a heavy rain, there is a good chance of a landslide. This cause-and-effect behavior of natural disasters happens all over the world. Just like forest fires, volcanoes and earthquakes can lead to landslides; landslides, in turn, can cause tsunamis.

What are engineers doing to keep us safe from natural disasters, such as landslides? Well, first, engineers study landslides in great detail. Then, they develop measurement tools to predict landslides, design buildings and structures that keep us safe, and design human-made structures (tunnels, roads, homes) that reduce the danger and destruction due to landslides and/or do not cause future landslides.

avalanche: A fall or slide of a large mass, as of snow or rock, down a mountainside.

debris: The scattered remains of something broken or destroyed; rubble or wreckage.

debris flow: A churning, water-saturated mass of rock, soil and organic matter that rushes down mountain slopes, typically originating as a landslide. (Source: USGS)

erosion: A group of natural processes by which material is worn away from the Earth's surface.

friction: Force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.

gravity: The natural force of attraction exerted by a celestial body, such as Earth, upon objects at or near its surface, tending to draw them toward the center of the body.

landslide: The downward sliding movement of a relatively dry mass of earth, rock and/or other fill, under the influence of gravity.

model: (noun) A small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object. (verb, as in computer modeling) To make a mathematical description of observed behavior (data, conditions, assumptions), for the purpose of predicting behavior.

mudflow: A downhill movement of soft wet earth and debris, made fluid by rain or melted snow and often building up great speed.

mudslide: A landslide of mud (wet earth).

trigger: An event that initiates a landslide.

unstable vs. stable: Whether or not a slope is prone to landslides.

Pre-Lesson Assessment

Know / Want to Know / Learn (KWL) Chart: Create a classroom KWL chart to help organize learning about a new topic. On a large sheet of paper or on the classroom board, draw a chart with the title "Landslides." Draw three columns titled, K, W and L, representing what students know about landslides, what they want to know about landslides and what they learned about landslides. Fill out the K and W sections during the lesson introduction as facts and questions emerge. Fill out the L section at the end of the lesson.

Post-Introduction Assessment

Question/Answer: Ask the students questions and have them raise their hands to respond. Write their answers on the board. Ask the students:

  • What is a landslide? (Answer: It is when small pieces of land [such as sand, gravel, dirt and rock] slide down hills.)
  • What are two things that affect landslides? (Answer: Gravity and friction.)
  • What are some things that can cause or trigger a landslide? (Possible answers: Heavy rain, runoff water, earthquakes, something that shakes the land or makes it slippery, etc.)
  • How do engineers work to keep us safe from landslides? (Answer: They build models of landslides to see if real landslides would put nearby buildings in danger, they build landslide detectors and sensors, and they develop buildings and structures that keep us safe from landslides.)

Lesson Summary Assessment

KWL Chart (Conclusion): As a class, finish column L of the KWL Chart as described in the Pre-Lesson Assessment section. List all of the things they learned about landslides. Were all of the W questions answered? What new things did they learn?

Safety Engineer: Have students use what they learned about landslides to create a safety brochure for people who want to move into a new community surrounded by mountains or tall hills. What safety tips would they give those people? Do they have suggestions for types of materials from which to build their homes? Have them include information on the types of soil that may affect the reach of a landslide. Have them title their posters with an engineering firm name that they make up (for example: Stable Soil Engineering Company).

Lesson Extension Activities

Share examples of landslides that have occurred in the local area.

Avalanches are a type of landslide. Have students learn more about avalanches. What have engineers developed to detect them? What equipment is available for people who are caught in one?

Have students learn more about erosion and its ability to trigger a landslide.

essay on landslide 500 words

Students explore how different materials (sand, gravel, lava rock) with different water contents on different slopes result in landslides of different severity. They measure the severity by how far the landslide debris extends into model houses placed in the flood plain.

preview of 'Mini-Landslide' Activity

Students learn how water flows through the ground, what an aquifer is, and what solid properties predict groundwater flow. Groundwater is one of the largest sources of drinking water, so environmental engineers need to understand groundwater flow in order to tap into this important resource.

preview of 'An Underground River' Lesson

Dictionary.com. Lexico Publishing Group, LLC., www.dictionary.com, accessed February 15, 2006. (Source of some vocabulary definitions, with some adaptation)

Hanisch, J., et al. "Dumpling – An "Intelligent" Boulder for Studying Internal Processes of Debris Flows." Proceedings , Third International Conference on Debris-Flow Hazards Mitigation, Davos, Switzerland, September 10-12, 2003. Rickenmann, Dieter & Chen, Cheng-lung editors, September 2003.

Highland, Lynn and Johnson, Margo. Landslide Types and Processes, Report Version 1.1. Fact Sheet 2004-3072, July 2004. Posted January 2006. U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed February 15, 2006. (pdf file) http://pbs.usgs.gov/fs/2004/3072/

Iverson, R.M., Costa, J.E. and LaHusen, R.G. Debris-Flow Flume at H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon, USGS Open-File Report 92-483. Updated March 21, 2002. U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed February 15, 2006. http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Projects/MassMovement/Publications/OFR92-483/OFR92-483_inlined.html

Lesson 5 – Landslides. Environmental Geology, Geology Education, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA. Accessed February 15, 2006. http://www.geologyeducation.com/blackboard/lan/lanlessonsummer.html

Schuster, R.L., and Highland, L.M., 2001, Socioeconomic and Environmental impacts of landslides in the western Hemisphere: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 01-0276. Accessed February 15, 2006. http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2001/ofr-01-0276/

Video of La Conchita Slope Failure of 2005, 2005 Landslides Information. Last modified November 30, 2005. Landslides Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed February 15, 2006. (Great video of land flowing like a liquid down a hillside). http://landslides.usgs.gov/recent/index.php

Contributors

Supporting program, acknowledgements.

The contents of this digital library curriculum were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the Department of Education or National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: April 23, 2022

Logo

Essay on Natural Disaster

Students are often asked to write an essay on Natural Disaster in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

Introduction.

Natural disasters are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that injure people and damage property. They include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

Types of Natural Disasters

Earthquakes are sudden shaking of the ground. Floods occur when water overflows onto dry land. Hurricanes are intense wind storms. Tornadoes are violently rotating winds. Wildfires destroy forests and lands. Tsunamis are sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes.

Impact of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can lead to loss of life, economic damage, and displacement of populations. They can also cause environmental damage, impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.

Understanding natural disasters and their effects can help us prepare and reduce their harmful impacts. It’s crucial to educate ourselves and take protective measures.

Also check:

  • 10 Lines on Natural Disaster
  • Paragraph on Natural Disaster
  • Speech on Natural Disaster

250 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are catastrophic events triggered by environmental factors that kill people and cause damage to property and natural resources. They include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

The Cause and Effect of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters occur due to the movement of tectonic plates, weather changes, and geological processes. Earthquakes, for instance, are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. Floods and hurricanes are usually the result of extreme weather conditions. The effects are often devastating, leading to loss of life and property, displacement of people, and economic damage.

Human Interaction and Natural Disasters

Human activities can exacerbate the severity of natural disasters. Deforestation, urbanization, and climate change contribute to the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Climate change, driven by human activity, is causing more severe weather patterns, leading to increased instances of floods and hurricanes.

Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Prevention and mitigation of natural disasters involve predicting possible disasters and preparing for them. Technological advancements have made it possible to predict some disasters, enabling timely evacuations. Infrastructure can be designed to withstand natural disasters, and reforestation can help prevent landslides and floods.

Natural disasters are inevitable, but their impact can be reduced through innovative technology, proper planning, and sustainable practices. Understanding the causes and effects of these disasters is crucial for developing effective prevention and mitigation strategies.

500 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that injure people and damage property. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires are examples of natural disasters, which nature’s forces have been known to disrupt lives and cause significant damage to communities worldwide.

The Science Behind Natural Disasters

Understanding the science behind natural disasters involves studying the Earth’s interacting systems. For instance, earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. When these plates move, they cause the Earth’s crust to break and shake, leading to an earthquake. Similarly, hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and are fueled by the heat and water vapor they provide.

Impacts of Natural Disasters

The impacts of natural disasters are multifaceted and far-reaching. They not only cause immediate loss of life and destruction of infrastructure but also have long-term effects on the socio-economic fabric of the affected regions. Natural disasters can lead to economic losses due to the destruction of infrastructure like buildings, bridges, and roads, disrupting trade, and causing a decline in tourism.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of some natural disasters. Rising global temperatures mean more heat is available to drive weather systems, leading to more intense storms and rainfall. Similarly, warmer temperatures can increase the likelihood of more severe and frequent heatwaves and potentially exacerbate drought conditions, leading to more intense wildfires.

Disaster Management and Mitigation

Effective disaster management and mitigation strategies are crucial in reducing the impact of natural disasters. These strategies involve a combination of preparation, response, and recovery activities. Preparation includes activities such as developing early warning systems, creating evacuation plans, and constructing resilient infrastructure. Response involves immediate actions such as search and rescue operations, providing emergency relief supplies, and medical aid. Recovery focuses on rebuilding and rehabilitating the affected area.

In conclusion, natural disasters are a significant global issue, causing immense loss and damage. Understanding the science behind these disasters, their impacts, and the influence of climate change can help us develop effective disaster management strategies. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to improve our resilience to these events, not only through scientific and technological advances but also by fostering global cooperation and community preparedness. After all, natural disasters are a shared global risk, and addressing them effectively requires collective action.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Disaster Preparedness
  • Essay on Role of Youth in Politics
  • Essay on Honesty in Politics

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

essay on landslide 500 words

  • Skip to main content

India’s Largest Career Transformation Portal

Essay on Natural Disasters for Students in English [Easy Words]

January 16, 2021 by Sandeep

Essay on Natural Disasters: Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, cyclones tsunamis and landslides have increased due to manmade factors like pollution, ozone depletion and global warming. The extreme exploitation of forests and natural resources has created a severe imbalance in our ecosystem, leading to many natural disasters. A warning management system issues early warnings of a possible calamity and networks with relief operations, rehabilitation support and rescue planning measures.

Essay on Natural Disasters 500 Words in English

Below we have provided Natural Disasters Essay in English, suitable for class 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10.

Natural disasters are major unpredicted events that have harmful effects on our society. They are severe, and they damage everything in their surrounding space. They pose a threat to the health and well-being of all living populations. Natural disasters include tsunamis, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, and avalanches. Their destruction capacity can be calculated by their spatial extent.

The spatial extent helps in determining the level of severity of a natural hazard. With the rising population and the growth in the number of industries, man has exploited almost all the natural resources present on our planet. This has left our ecosystem in a state of imbalance. Nature is all-powerful, and there is no escape to its wrath. Our selfish activities have led to disasters like pollution , global warming , and ozone depletion. Natural disasters cause a loss in one form or another. We cannot prevent them, but we can certainly take some controlled steps to minimize their effects.

Types of Natural Disasters

Tsunami: A tsunami can be identified as a very large seismic wave in an ocean or a sea. It is caused by any kind of geophysical activity on the ocean floor. These activities can be earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. Tsunamis consist of multiple waves of high current capacity. Tsunami waves are very high when they reach the coastal areas. They can easily flood the shores. People living in these areas cannot outrun these gigantic waves. Loss of life and property follows.

Cyclone: Cyclones are violent storms that are associated with thunder, lightning and torrential rains. They are robust swirling winds which can bring a lot of damage to the affected areas. They do not have any specific direction and can have a speed of about 240-1200 miles per hour. Cyclones mostly hit the warm countries and can result in loss of life, damage to crops, fallen trees, and sinking of boats.

Earthquake: The sudden movement of Earth’s tectonic plate, which results in a shake or vibration of the ground is termed as an earthquake . It is mostly caused by the rupture of geological faults. However, volcanic eruptions and mine blasts can also initiate them.

Landslide: Movement of rock and debris down a sloped portion of land is known as a landslide. It is caused by rain, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Soil erosion (due to deforestation) makes the land unstable and also causes landslides. Landslides mostly occur in mountain areas. Therefore, life in hilly terrains is always susceptible to these kinds of events.

Avalanche: Avalanche is also known as a snow slide. It occurs when a mass of snow rapidly slides along a sloped region (mountain tops). These can also originate as a result of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Avalanches commonly occur on convex slopes and also on slopes covered with grass. Surviving an avalanche is rare because here, death happens due to hypothermia.

Flood: A flood can be defined as the overflow of water on a dry piece of land. Floods can be caused by excessive rainfalls, breaking of dams, storm surges, and tsunamis. Besides being life-threatening, floods can cause sediment deposition and drainage congestion. Coastal plains are the worst-hit zones during floods.

Volcanic Eruption: A volcano is a passage in the crust of Earth through which magma (molten silicate rock) flows out to the surface of the earth. A volcanic eruption can release liquid lava, debris, ash and gases into the environment. These eruptions contribute to the various hazardous events that take place on the Earth’s surface. They can lead to glacier bursts, mud flows, and acid rain.

Disaster Management

Flood Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on flood.

Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers. Moreover, it also happens because of the melting of snow. Another reason for floods is when the dam breaks down. If we look at the coastal areas, the hurricanes and tsunamis are held responsible for causing floods. In this essay on flood, we will see the prevention and after-affect of flood.

flood essay

In other words, whatever the cause may be, it is equally dangerous. It has a lot of harmful consequences. Flood damages the living conditions and it takes a lot of time to recover from this disaster. Therefore, the consequences of floods must be known and steps must be taken to prevent it.

After-effects of Flood

Floods interrupt with the day to day functioning of the affected area. The severe floods sometimes cause mass destruction. A lot of people and animals lose their lives due to floods. Several others are injured. Floods also bring a rise in diseases. The stagnant water attracts mosquitoes causing malaria , dengue, and more illnesses.

Furthermore, people face power cuts due to the danger of electrocution. They also have to face expensive pricing. As the supply of food and goods gets limited, the prices naturally grow higher. This creates a big problem for the common man.

Most importantly, the whole country faces economic loss. The resources needed to rescue people and tackle this disaster demands a hefty amount. Plus, the citizens lose their houses and cars which they worked all their lives for.

Subsequently, floods also hamper the environment. It causes soil erosion and this degrades the quality of the soil. We lose out on fertile soil. Similarly, floods also damage flora and fauna. They damage crops and displace trees. Thus, the measure should be taken to avoid these grave consequences.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Ways to Prevent flood

The government and citizens must work together to formulate ways to prevent floods. Proper awareness must be spread about the steps to take when floods occur. Warning systems must be set up so people get sufficient time to save themselves. In addition, areas that are more likely to have floods must have tall buildings above the flood level.

essay on landslide 500 words

Other than that, dams must be constructed strongly. The use of cheap materials causes dams to break. The government must ensure there is a quality building of dams to prevent floods.

In short, we cannot prevent natural causes like rain and the melting of glaciers. However, we can stop the manmade causes like breaking of dams, poor drainage system, installing warning systems and more. We should take inspiration from countries like Singapore that never experience floods despite having heavy rainfall for most time of the year.

FAQ on Flood Essay

Q.1 what are the consequences of a flood.

A.1 Floods cause immense destruction. They are responsible for the loss of human and animal lives. People lose their homes and cars in floods. They also cause soil erosion and uproot of trees.

Q.2 How can we prevent floods?

A.2 Governments must take up certain measures to prevent floods. We can install flood warning systems. Make people aware of what to do in times of flood. Moreover, we can also build a proper drainage system that will ensure no waterlogging.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Google Play

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Song Analysis — Landslide By Stevie Nicks Analysis

test_template

Landslide by Stevie Nicks Analysis

  • Categories: Song Analysis

About this sample

close

Words: 661 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 661 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the lyrics: a tapestry of emotions, the chorus: a resonating melody, personal context: the journey of stevie nicks, conclusion: the timeless impact of "landslide".

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Entertainment

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 479 words

2 pages / 739 words

2 pages / 892 words

4 pages / 1749 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Song Analysis

In the world of music, Eminem is a controversial figure who has faced accusations of racism throughout his career. With lyrics that push boundaries and challenge societal norms, the rapper has sparked heated debates about the [...]

Have you ever found yourself captivated by the haunting melody of a chandelier song? This enchanting piece of music has drawn listeners in with its mesmerizing lyrics and intricate instrumentation. In this analysis, we will [...]

Have you ever found yourself lost in the wistful lyrics of a song, feeling a deep connection to the emotions conveyed by the artist? One such song that has captured the hearts of many is "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White [...]

Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" is an album that is often regarded as one of the greatest American rock albums of all time. The album, which was initially rejected by Springsteen's record company, was released in 1982 as a [...]

Music has the remarkable ability to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and transport us to different times and places. It is a powerful form of expression that can resonate deeply with individuals on a personal level. In this [...]

In the vibrant era known as the Harlem Renaissance, a musical genius emerged who would revolutionize the world of jazz and popular music forever. Louis Armstrong, with his soulful trumpet playing and distinctive gravelly voice, [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

essay on landslide 500 words

  • CBSE Class 10th
  • CBSE Class 12th
  • UP Board 10th
  • UP Board 12th
  • Bihar Board 10th
  • Bihar Board 12th
  • Top Schools in India
  • Top Schools in Delhi
  • Top Schools in Mumbai
  • Top Schools in Chennai
  • Top Schools in Hyderabad
  • Top Schools in Kolkata
  • Top Schools in Pune
  • Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

  • JEE Main Knockout April
  • Free Sample Papers
  • Free Ebooks
  • NCERT Notes
  • NCERT Syllabus
  • NCERT Books
  • RD Sharma Solutions
  • Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
  • NCERT Solutions
  • NCERT Solutions for Class 12
  • NCERT Solutions for Class 11
  • NCERT solutions for Class 10
  • NCERT solutions for Class 9
  • NCERT solutions for Class 8
  • NCERT Solutions for Class 7
  • JEE Main 2024
  • MHT CET 2024
  • JEE Advanced 2024
  • BITSAT 2024
  • View All Engineering Exams
  • Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
  • Top Engineering Colleges in India
  • Engineering Colleges in India
  • Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
  • Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
  • Top IITs in India
  • Top NITs in India
  • Top IIITs in India
  • JEE Main College Predictor
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor
  • MHT CET College Predictor
  • AP EAMCET College Predictor
  • GATE College Predictor
  • KCET College Predictor
  • JEE Advanced College Predictor
  • View All College Predictors
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Cutoff
  • JEE Main Advanced Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Admit Card 2024
  • Download E-Books and Sample Papers
  • Compare Colleges
  • B.Tech College Applications
  • KCET Result
  • MAH MBA CET Exam
  • View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

  • MBA College Admissions
  • MBA Colleges in India
  • Top IIMs Colleges in India
  • Top Online MBA Colleges in India
  • MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
  • BBA Colleges in India
  • XAT College Predictor 2024
  • SNAP College Predictor
  • NMAT College Predictor
  • MAT College Predictor 2024
  • CMAT College Predictor 2024
  • CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
  • CAT 2023 College Predictor
  • CMAT 2024 Admit Card
  • TS ICET 2024 Hall Ticket
  • CMAT Result 2024
  • MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
  • Download Helpful Ebooks
  • List of Popular Branches
  • QnA - Get answers to your doubts
  • IIM Fees Structure
  • AIIMS Nursing
  • Top Medical Colleges in India
  • Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
  • Medical Colleges accepting NEET
  • List of Medical Colleges in India
  • List of AIIMS Colleges In India
  • Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
  • Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
  • NEET College Predictor
  • NEET PG College Predictor
  • NEET MDS College Predictor
  • NEET Rank Predictor
  • DNB PDCET College Predictor
  • NEET Admit Card 2024
  • NEET PG Application Form 2024
  • NEET Cut off
  • NEET Online Preparation
  • Download Helpful E-books
  • Colleges Accepting Admissions
  • Top Law Colleges in India
  • Law College Accepting CLAT Score
  • List of Law Colleges in India
  • Top Law Colleges in Delhi
  • Top NLUs Colleges in India
  • Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
  • Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

  • CLAT College Predictor
  • MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
  • AILET College Predictor
  • Sample Papers
  • Compare Law Collages
  • Careers360 Youtube Channel
  • CLAT Syllabus 2025
  • CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
  • NID DAT Exam
  • Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

  • NIFT College Predictor
  • UCEED College Predictor
  • NID DAT College Predictor
  • NID DAT Syllabus 2025
  • NID DAT 2025
  • Design Colleges in India
  • Top NIFT Colleges in India
  • Fashion Design Colleges in India
  • Top Interior Design Colleges in India
  • Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
  • Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
  • Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
  • Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
  • NIFT Result 2024
  • NIFT Fees Structure
  • NIFT Syllabus 2025
  • Free Design E-books
  • List of Branches
  • Careers360 Youtube channel
  • IPU CET BJMC
  • JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
  • IIMC Entrance Exam
  • Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
  • Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
  • Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
  • List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
  • CA Intermediate
  • CA Foundation
  • CS Executive
  • CS Professional
  • Difference between CA and CS
  • Difference between CA and CMA
  • CA Full form
  • CMA Full form
  • CS Full form
  • CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

  • Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
  • Master of Commerce (M.Com)
  • Company Secretary
  • Cost Accountant
  • Charted Accountant
  • Credit Manager
  • Financial Advisor
  • Top Commerce Colleges in India
  • Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
  • Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
  • Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
  • Top B.Com Colleges in India
  • IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
  • IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
  • MCA Colleges in India
  • BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

  • Information Technology Courses
  • Programming Courses
  • Web Development Courses
  • Data Analytics Courses
  • Big Data Analytics Courses
  • RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
  • Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
  • Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
  • Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
  • Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
  • Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
  • List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
  • GPAT Result
  • GPAT 2024 Admit Card
  • GPAT Question Papers
  • NCHMCT JEE 2024
  • Mah BHMCT CET
  • Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
  • Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
  • Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
  • Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
  • Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
  • B.Sc Hotel Management
  • Hotel Management
  • Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

  • Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
  • UPSC IAS 2024
  • SSC CGL 2024
  • IBPS RRB 2024
  • Previous Year Sample Papers
  • Free Competition E-books
  • Sarkari Result
  • QnA- Get your doubts answered
  • UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
  • CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
  • SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
  • NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

  • NDA Application Form 2024
  • UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
  • CDS Application Form 2024
  • CTET Admit card 2024
  • HP TET Result 2023
  • SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
  • UPTET Notification 2024
  • SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

  • SSC CHSL 2024
  • UP PCS 2024
  • UGC NET 2024
  • RRB NTPC 2024
  • IBPS PO 2024
  • IBPS Clerk 2024
  • IBPS SO 2024
  • Top University in USA
  • Top University in Canada
  • Top University in Ireland
  • Top Universities in UK
  • Top Universities in Australia
  • Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
  • Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

  • Study in USA
  • Study in UK
  • Study in Canada
  • Study in Australia
  • Study in Ireland
  • Study in Germany
  • Study in China
  • Study in Europe

Student Visas

  • Student Visa Canada
  • Student Visa UK
  • Student Visa USA
  • Student Visa Australia
  • Student Visa Germany
  • Student Visa New Zealand
  • Student Visa Ireland
  • CUET PG 2024
  • IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
  • DU Admission 2024
  • UP B.Ed JEE 2024
  • LPU NEST 2024
  • IIT JAM 2024
  • IGNOU Online Admission 2024
  • Universities in India
  • Top Universities in India 2024
  • Top Colleges in India
  • Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
  • Top Universities in Bihar
  • Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
  • Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
  • Central Universities in India
  • CUET Exam City Intimation Slip 2024
  • IGNOU Date Sheet
  • CUET Mock Test 2024
  • CUET Admit card 2024
  • CUET PG Syllabus 2024
  • CUET Participating Universities 2024
  • CUET Previous Year Question Paper
  • CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
  • E-Books and Sample Papers
  • CUET Exam Pattern 2024
  • CUET Exam Date 2024
  • CUET Cut Off 2024
  • CUET Exam Analysis 2024
  • IGNOU Exam Form 2024
  • CUET 2024 Exam Live
  • CUET Answer Key 2024

Engineering Preparation

  • Knockout JEE Main 2024
  • Test Series JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

  • Knockout NEET 2024
  • Test Series NEET 2024
  • Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

  • JEE Main One Month Course
  • NEET One Month Course
  • IBSAT Free Mock Tests
  • IIT JEE Foundation Course
  • Knockout BITSAT 2024
  • Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

  • IT & Software Certification Courses
  • Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
  • Programming And Development Certification Courses
  • Business and Management Certification Courses
  • Marketing Certification Courses
  • Health and Fitness Certification Courses
  • Design Certification Courses

Specializations

  • Digital Marketing Certification Courses
  • Cyber Security Certification Courses
  • Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
  • Business Analytics Certification Courses
  • Data Science Certification Courses
  • Cloud Computing Certification Courses
  • Machine Learning Certification Courses
  • View All Certification Courses
  • UG Degree Courses
  • PG Degree Courses
  • Short Term Courses
  • Free Courses
  • Online Degrees and Diplomas
  • Compare Courses

Top Providers

  • Coursera Courses
  • Udemy Courses
  • Edx Courses
  • Swayam Courses
  • upGrad Courses
  • Simplilearn Courses
  • Great Learning Courses

Earthquake Essay

Essay on Earthquake - An earthquake is a natural disaster that occurs when two tectonic plates collide. The force of the collision creates seismic waves that travel through the earth's crust, causing the ground to shake and buildings to collapse. Here are some sample essays on earthquakes.

  • 100 Words Essay on Earthquake

Earthquakes can happen anywhere in the world, and although their occurrence is not predictable, there are some things you can do to make yourself more prepared in case one does strike. This includes having an earthquake kit ready to go, knowing how to drop, cover and hold on, and staying informed about any potential risks in your area. Make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with food, water, and other supplies, and know what to do when an earthquake hits. If you're not sure what to do, it's best to stay away from windows and other objects that could fall on you, and head to a safe place.

200 Words Essay on Earthquake

500 words essay on earthquake.

Earthquake Essay

Earthquakes are a natural disaster that come with a lot of dangers. The shaking and movement of the earth can cause buildings to fall down, trapping people inside. The shaking caused by such a sudden change is usually very minor, but large earthquakes sometimes cause very large shaking of the land. The shaking waves spread from the spot at which rock begins breaking for the first time; this spot is called the center, or hypocenter, of an earthquake.

If you're inside when an earthquake starts, drop to the ground and cover your head. The earthquake's magnitude is related to the amount of earthquake energy released in a seismic event.

Different Types of Earthquakes

There are three types of earthquakes:

Shallow | A shallow earthquake is when the earthquake's focus is close to the surface of the Earth. These earthquakes are usually less powerful than the other two types, but can still cause a lot of damage.

Intermediate | Intermediate earthquakes have a focus that's located between the surface and the Earth's mantle, and are usually more powerful than shallow earthquakes.

Deep | Deep earthquakes have a focus that's located in the mantle, which is the layer of the Earth below the crust. They're the most powerful type of earthquake, and can even cause damage on the surface.

An earthquake can cause damage to buildings and bridges; interrupt gas, electrical, and telephone services; and occasionally trigger landslides, avalanches, flash flooding, wildfires, and massive, destructive waves of water over oceans (tsunamis).

The Dangers Associated With Earthquakes

The shaking of the ground can cause objects to fall off shelves and injure people. If you're outside when an earthquake starts, move away from tall buildings, streetlights and power lines.

An earthquake can also cause a tsunami, or a large wave, to form and crash onto the shore. Tsunamis can be very dangerous and can reach heights of over 100 feet.

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

When an earthquake is imminent, your first step should be to find a safe spot. The most ideal spots are under sturdy furniture or inside door frames. It is best to stay away from windows and anything that can fall over.

Once you've found the safest place, it's time to prepare for the shaking. Grab some blankets, pillows and helmets if possible – all of which can provide extra cushioning against falling objects.

Additionally, you should always keep an eye out for debris that could cause injuries, such as broken glass and sharp objects.

Finally, stay calm until the shaking stops, and monitor local news reports for additional information on how best to handle the situation.

What to do During an Earthquake

The moment an earthquake hits, it is important to stay as calm and collected as possible. Safety is the first priority so you must stay away from windows and furniture that can fall on you, and protect your head with your arms if needed.

If an earthquake occurs while you are indoors, stay away from anything that could fall or break such as windows, mirrors, or furniture. Do not run outdoors as shaking can cause glass and other materials to fall from the building structure. Instead, seek shelter under sturdy tables or desks. If there is no furniture available, move to a corner of the room and crouch down protectively with your arms over your head and neck.

It's also important to take note of any gas lines that could be affected during an earthquake and shut them off if necessary in order to prevent fires from breaking out due to exposed pipes.

After the Earthquake: Recovery and Assistance

When the shaking stops, there will be a period of recovery.

Don't enter any building if it has visible damage due to the earthquake - it's better to be safe than sorry.

You should contact local aid organisations like the Red Cross for additional help with sheltering, water, food and other essentials.

Stay in touch with local officials about any services provided for those affected by the earthquake.

Make sure you also have a plan for what to do if you're stuck in an earthquake, and know how to get in touch with loved ones in case of an emergency.

By being prepared and knowing what to do, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones are safe in the event of an earthquake.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

Register FREE for ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PW JEE Coaching

PW JEE Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for JEE coaching

PW NEET Coaching

PW NEET Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for NEET coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

student

Certifications

student

We Appeared in

Economic Times

Your Article Library

Paragraph on landslides in india.

essay on landslide 500 words

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The Himalayas are prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon months, from June to October. The types of landslides include block slumping, debris fall, debris slide, rock fall, rotational slip and slumping.

The pressure of population and the economic exploitation of the mountain region have been major causes for landslides. Turning forest land into orchard (apple growing being a lucrative activity), the increased construction and road building-activities, and grazing by cattle are some of the activities that have led to increased chances of landslides. Factors such as deforestation by the timber industry and shifting agriculture have .also contributed to the removal of valuable vegetation “cover, leading to soil erosion and frequent landslides. Efforts are, however, being made to lessen the impact of landslides.

Of late, several thematic maps depicting geology, slope, drainage, land use, relief and landslide hazard comprising about 2,500 sq km of Alaknanda valley from Devaprayag to\ Nandaprayag have already been prepared.

A criterion for zoning for landslide hazard has also been developed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI). These maps are useful because they enable the concerned authorities to take decisions on techno-economic feasibility of land use, geographical location of dams, construction of bridges and housing complexes, alignment of roads, and in undertaking suitable measures to combat hazards and preserve the ecology of the Himalayas.

An innovative and cost-effective technology for designing and building rigid masonry retaining walls characterised by reinforced backfill has been developed. The new expertise has been successfully tested by constructing a retaining wall, 11 metre high, located on the Hardwar-Badrinath road in collaboration with the Border Road Organisation. The CBRI has taken up a project related to the engineering behaviour of joints, discontinuities, slip surfaces and shear zones with specific emphasis on landslides and hazard assessment.

Engineering methods such as building underground wells or tunnels and surface channels by pumping out groundwater are useful in preventing landslides. Since the methods of checking landslides are prohibitively expensive, it seems to be more rational” to concentrate on the prevention of the consequences of landslides. Prior knowledge of landslide may enable authorities to evacuate people before the loss of lives and property; but this requires vigilance, forecasting and constant monitoring.

Related Articles:

  • Issues Related to Landslides – Explained!
  • Essay on Landslides: Factors, Types and Methods

No comments yet.

Leave a reply click here to cancel reply..

You must be logged in to post a comment.

web statistics

273 words essay on Landslides

essay on landslide 500 words

The landslides are simply defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down and have to include a broad range of motions whereby falling, sliding and flowing under the influence of gravity dislodges earth material. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. The Himalayan Mountain, the north-east hill ranges and the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris experience considerable landslide activities of varying intensities.

Causes of Landslides:

There are several factors which lead to the occurrence of landslides. Seismic activity, intensity of rainfall, steep slopes, rigidity of slopes, highly weathered rock layers, soil layers formed under gravity, poor drainage these all are natural factors that cause the landslides. Not only this there are many man-made factors also which contribute to the occurrence of landslides. These are land use pattern, non-engineered construction, mining and quarrying, non-engineered excavation and deforestation leading to soil erosion.

Protection Measures:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Generally landslides happen where they have already occurred in the past, or in identifiable hazard locations.

Following are the areas that are distinctly considered safe from landslides:

I. Areas that have not moved in the past

II. Relatively flat areas away from sudden changes in slope

III. Areas at the top of or along ridges but set back from the edge of slopes. However, the homes built at the toe of steep slopes are frequently vulnerable to slides and debris flows that originate on property controlled by others.

Adoption of slope stabilizing methods and professional site investigations by an engineering geologist and a technical Engineer has shown to reduce the landslide damage to over 95%. But in many situations preventing landslides may be impractical.

Related Articles:

  • Write an article on Landslides and Snow Avalanches
  • What are the causes of Landslides and Snow Avalanche?
  • Short Essay for Geography Students on the ‘Mass Movement’ of the Earth’s Surface
  • What are the vulnerable factors to landslides and snow avalanches ?

IMAGES

  1. 10 lines on Landslide, Essay on Landslide in english, Natural disasters

    essay on landslide 500 words

  2. 500 Word Essay

    essay on landslide 500 words

  3. Landslide

    essay on landslide 500 words

  4. Landslide and Debris Flow as Natural Disasters Free Essay Example

    essay on landslide 500 words

  5. ⭐ How much is a 500 word essay. How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Guide

    essay on landslide 500 words

  6. cause and effect of landslide essay

    essay on landslide 500 words

VIDEO

  1. When you have to write a 500 word essay 😂

  2. cute cat hit by landslide💥#catlover #catvideos #cutecat

  3. Landslide essay

  4. Landslide Susceptibility

  5. Terrifying Landslides Caught on Camera: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention

  6. How many citations for a 500 word essay?

COMMENTS

  1. Essay on Landslides: Factors, Types and Methods

    The term, 'landslide' encompasses falling, toppling, sliding, flowing and subsidence of soil and rock materials under the strong influence of gravity and other factors. Some geomorphologists thus prefer to use the term mass movement instead of landslides. The resultant landforms produced by mass movements are termed mass wasting.

  2. Landslide

    landslide, the movement downslope of a mass of rock, debris, earth, or soil (soil being a mixture of earth and debris). Landslides occur when gravitational and other types of shear stresses within a slope exceed the shear strength (resistance to shearing) of the materials that form the slope. Shear stresses can be built up within a slope by a ...

  3. Natural Disasters Essay for Students & Children

    500+ Words Essay on Natural Disasters. A Natural disaster is an unforeseen occurrence of an event that causes harm to society. There are many Natural disasters that damage the environment and the people living in it. Some of them are earthquakes, cyclones, floods, Tsunami, landslides, volcanic eruption, and avalanches.Spatial extent measures the degree or severity of the disaster.

  4. Landslide

    A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused by rain, earthquakes, volcanoes, or other factors that make the slope unstable. Geologists, scientists who study the physical formations of Earth, sometimes describe landslides as one type of mass wasting.A mass wasting is any downward movement in which Earth's surface is worn away.

  5. Natural Disasters Essay

    100 Words Essay On Natural Disasters. ... Natural disasters like floods, drought, landslides, earthquakes, and cyclones frequently occur all throughout the world. Often, natural disasters leave mass effects and it can take years to control the damage. However, the negative effects and damages caused by these natural disasters can be reduced ...

  6. Essay on Landslide in English

    Today, In this article we are going to write essay on Landslide in English in 500 words.. This article is about Landslide. This post can help the school students who are looking "Landslide par nibandh English mein". We briefing about "Landslide in the English" which is very useful for student. This essay on "Landslide" is generally ...

  7. Natural Disaster Essay: How to Write, Topics, & Examples

    🌊 Natural Disaster Essay 200 Words. Below you will find a short natural disaster essay for 200 words. It explores the causes and effects of the tsunami in Japan in 2011. Tsunami in Japan: Causes and Effects. The proximity of the deadliest disasters is often unpredictable. As a result, the consequences of a tsunami can exceed any possible ...

  8. Disaster Management Essay for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on Disaster Management. ... Each year, India faces a number of disasters like floods, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, cyclones, droughts and more. When we look at the man-made disasters, India suffered the Bhopal Gas Tragedy as well as the plague in Gujarat. To stop these incidents from happening again, we need to strengthen ...

  9. Lesson All About Landslides: Land on the Run

    Students learn about landslides, discovering that there are different types of landslides that occur at different speeds — from very slow to very quick. All landslides are the result of gravity, friction and the materials involved. Both natural and human-made factors contribute to landslides. The interactions and different severity of these variables are demonstrated in the associated ...

  10. Essay on Natural Disaster

    And if you're also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic. ... Infrastructure can be designed to withstand natural disasters, and reforestation can help prevent landslides and floods. Conclusion. Natural disasters are inevitable, but their impact can be reduced through innovative technology ...

  11. Essay on Natural Disasters for Students in English [Easy Words]

    Natural disasters include tsunamis, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, and avalanches. Their destruction capacity can be calculated by their spatial extent. The spatial extent helps in determining the level of severity of a natural hazard. With the rising population and the growth in the number of industries, man has ...

  12. Essay On Landslides

    Essay On Landslides. A "landslide" is the mass movement of slope forming materials downslope and/or outward along the surface of separation by falling and/or flowing at a fast or slow rate, but under the influence of gravity. Slope forming materials include rocks, soils, artificial fills (disposal), or a combination of all these materials.

  13. Short Essay On Landslides

    Short Essay On Landslides. 708 Words3 Pages. Landslide and avalanche are forms of natural disasters that occurs due to natural processes of the Earth such as movement of rock or snow down a slope. The movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope is called a landslide. Landslide usually occurs when the materials which make up the hill slope ...

  14. Land Pollution Essay

    100 Words Essay On Land Pollution. Land pollution, also known as soil pollution, is the contamination of soil by solid or liquid waste. This occurs when the waste from industries, homes, farms, and other sources is not disposed of properly. It can cause a number of environmental problems, including water pollution and air pollution.

  15. Essay on Landslides

    Essay on Landslides - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free.

  16. Essay on Cyclone

    500 Words Essay on Cyclone. ... Recently, the eastern part of India saw a landslide that was caused by cyclone Amphan. Technology has advanced to extreme levels and thus the meteorological departments were aware of the impending danger before it knocked on our doors. This proved to be of great advantage because the government was able to ...

  17. Landslide Essay

    Landslide Essay. 1.1 Introduction to Landslide. A landslide is a geological phenomenon, which includes a wide range of ground movements, such as deep or shallow failure slopes and rock falls. See figure 1.1. 1.1.1 Factors influence Landslides Landslides occur when the stability of the slope turns from the stable state to unstable state.

  18. Flood Essay for Students and Children

    500+ words Essay on Flood. Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers.

  19. Landslide By Stevie Nicks Analysis: [Essay Example], 661 words

    The Chorus: A Resonating Melody. The chorus of "Landslide" soars with a haunting melody that echoes the emotional resonance of the lyrics. Nicks' voice, delicate yet powerful, evokes a sense of longing and acceptance. The repetition of the line, "And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills," serves as a powerful metaphor for self-reflection.

  20. Earthquake Essay in English

    500 Words Essay on Earthquake. An earthquake can cause damage to buildings and bridges; interrupt gas, electrical, and telephone services; and occasionally trigger landslides, avalanches, flash flooding, wildfires, and massive, destructive waves of water over oceans (tsunamis). The Dangers Associated With Earthquakes.

  21. Paragraph on Landslides in India

    Paragraph on Landslides in India. The Himalayas are prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon months, from June to October. The types of landslides include block slumping, debris fall, debris slide, rock fall, rotational slip and slumping. The pressure of population and the economic exploitation of the mountain region have been major ...

  22. Landslides Essay

    Landslides Essay. 705 Words2 Pages. Landslides can occur for different reasons and in different areas. They usually occur when an earthquake strikes where a slope is too steep. When the earthquake occurs, the soil slips and causes a landslide. Landslides can also be triggered by heavy rainfall.

  23. 273 words essay on Landslides

    273 words essay on Landslides. The landslides are simply defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down and have to include a broad range of motions whereby falling, sliding and flowing under the influence of gravity dislodges earth material. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes.