Geology GEOL-G 107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Geologic Time Scale, Mining, Overburden Pressure
Document Summary
In general, unconsolidated rock/sediment will be more likely to move than. Refers to the movement of alteration of earth material on or near earths surface. Includes landslides, rock falls, flows, sinkholes, and subsidence. Materials are constantly moving to their lowest energy state. So the driving force of slope movement is gravity. Slopes fail when the resisting forces are overrun by the driving force of gravity. The underlying resisting forces of slopes are going to be the inherent strength of the slope materials like soil strength and rock strength consolidated, well-cemented rock/sediment. The angle the rock sits within the earth, or the slope of the surface of the earth can both create conditions favorable for slope failures. When we discuss slopes, we often discuss them in percentages. Describes how the enormous weight of rocks and earth material acts to prevent slides from happening. In nature, confining pressure is caused by the weight of the earth materials themselves.
