Final answer:
Several failure modes for earth dams include erosion, weakened slopes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and excess weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several failure modes for earth dams include:
- Erosion by rivers, glaciers, or ocean waves creating over-steepened slopes.
- Rock and soil slopes weakened through saturation by snowmelt or heavy rains.
- Earthquakes creating stresses that make weak slopes fail.
- Volcanic eruptions producing loose ash deposits, heavy rain, and debris flows.
- Excess weight from accumulation of rain or snow, stockpiling of rock or ore, from waste piles, or from man-made structures stressing weak slopes to failure.
These failure modes can result in the collapse of the dam, posing a threat to downstream areas and causing catastrophic consequences.