Mechanisms of high hazard landslide formation (rapid and slow)

The article discusses the results of studying the mechanism of formation and movement of rapid and slow clay landslides characterized by increased danger and catastrophic consequences for the technosphere. The consequences of landslides that occurred in various physical and geographical zones with different mineralogical and petrographic composition of rocks are considered. The analysis of the landslide formation features takes into account the slope gradients, actual elevations and local differences in elevation, changes in slope gradients, terrain roughness and direction of slopes, catchment areas, proximity of water bodies, tectonics, as well as the composition of soils and rocks. Three mechanisms that cause the movement of the landslide geomaterials are explained: the impact of gravity forces, fluidization and lubrication of the landslide bed in the direction of movement. It has been established that the gravity forces alone do not enable the rapid displacement of significant masses of geomaterials over long distances. An important factor is the reduced friction at the landslide bed due to lubrication, which is formed as a result of rainfall infiltration or geochemical transformation of a thin layer of bedrock in the course of the landslide geomaterial displacement. Landslides of the discussed genesis can pose a great hazard to various mine workings, open pits, in fact to any form of activity and facilities of the mining industry.