Factors that affect the shear strength of the material on a slope include:
- Rock type: Different types of rocks have varying levels of inherent strength, which can influence the shear strength of a slope.
- Cohesion of sediments: The cohesive properties of sediments, such as clay or silt, can affect the shear strength of a slope.
- Strength of gravity: The force of gravity acting on a slope can contribute to its stability or instability.
The potential triggers for mass wasting events include:
- Heavy rain: Excessive rainfall can saturate the soil or rock, reducing its strength and triggering mass wasting.
- Earthquake: Seismic activity can shake the slope, causing instability and leading to mass wasting.
- Reduction in slope angle: Changes in slope angle, such as through erosion or human activities, can increase the likelihood of mass wasting.
- Shaking from construction or mining: Vibrations caused by construction or mining activities can destabilize slopes and trigger mass wasting.
- Freezing and thawing: Cycles of freezing and thawing can weaken the material in a slope and contribute to mass wasting.
- Rapid melting of snow or ice: Sudden melting of snow or ice can increase the water content in a slope, reducing its stability and potentially causing mass wasting.
Therefore, the factors that affect shear strength are: rock type, cohesion of sediments, strength of gravity, the orientation of bedding or metamorphic layers, angle of the slope, and amount of water the material contains. The potential triggers for mass wasting events are: heavy rain, earthquake, reduction in slope angle, shaking from construction or mining, freezing and thawing, and rapid melting of snow or ice.