An overview of landslide problems in the british isles, with reference to geology, geography and conservation

Abstract

An overview is presented of the landslide problems experienced in Britain, and their primary causes. Principally, landslides occur in Britain where the strata are argillaceous and there is sufficient topographic relief. This combination occurs in swathes through the southern and central parts of Britain and along the lengthy coastline. In these parts of Britain, the main rock types are sedimentary, and they often exhibit low angles of dip. This gives rise to the occurrence of compound landslides, often with a bedding-controlled flat basal shear surface. Issues relating to this type of landslide are discussed in the article, which concludes with a discussion of the conflicts between interests of land users and the need for conservation, especially in some areas that are of significant interest in the history of the geological and other sciences, and to research in the present day. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.