Rockfalls and Their Hazard

Abstract

Rockfalls are a type of fast mass movement common in mountain areas worldwide triggered. Natural triggers of rockfalls comprise earthquakes (Harp and Wilson 1995; Marzorati et al. 2002), freeze-thaw cycles of water (Gardner 1983; Matsuoka and Sakai 1999), melting of snow (Wieczorek and Jäger 1996) or permafrost (Gruber et al. 2004), temperature changes (Davies et al. 2001), intense rainfall (Chau et al. 2003; Cardinali et al. 2006), stress relief following deglaciation (Wieczorek and Jäger 1996), volcanic activity, and root penetration and wedging (Wieczorek and Jäger 1996). Human-induced causes of rockfalls include undercutting of rock slopes, mining activities, pipe leakage, inefficient drainage, and vibrations caused by excavations, blasting, or traffic.