Hazards from mass movements in mountain regions

Abstract

Hazards arising from mass movements are a common problem in mountain regions, particularly in a temperate humid climate, where the annual rate of precipitation in the form of rain or snow is fairly high. Such conditions occur for instance in the entire Alpine-Himalayan belt, in the Rocky Mountains, in the Andes, and in New Zealand. A series of case studies of various types of mass movements made by our institution in Austria describe results from measurements over mountain fractures, and valley closures, leading to the establishment of tear scars and slides. In addition, some cases of the effect of external agents (mud and debris flows) will be described. -from Author