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There are a number of potential causes for the collapse of a cliff.
In general it happens because some event occurs which acts to reduce the strength of the rockmass.
The term rockmass is used to describe the solid rock and all the bedding, joint and any other fracture planes which are spread throughout the rock and act to reduce it's strength.
Under normal conditions, the rockmass is strong enough to support itself (if it wasn't it would have already collapsed until achieving a stable state!). However if there is a change in the conditions then this can lead to failure.
So what conditions can change that may cause failure?
Pore water pressure: during periods of heavy rainfall, water infiltrates the ground and can act to increase the groundwater table. It will also flow along any fracture zones or other discontinuities in the rockmass which are permeable. Normally the self weight of the rockmass (known as the in-situstress) acts to force these discontinuities together and the roughness of their surfaces and the resultant friction acts to stop movement. However the water is relatively incompressible and so forms a small barrier between the two surfaces which acts to reduce the strength of the interface by reducing friction and the shear strength. If the alignment of the interface in question is "bad" i.e. one along which a slip or failure would result in a block of rock falling from the slope or cliff face and the pore water pressure becomes high enough to negate the frictional resistance to sliding, then a rock failure will occur.
Fractures and discontinuities also commonly have a clay infilling. The pore water can cause these clay fills to swell (and soften) and then shrink again when they dry out. These shrink swell cycles can act to reduce the friction on the interface between two rock blocks and again increase the rick of failure and a rock slide occurring.
Weathering can also act to increase the dimensions of fractures (e.g. freeze thaw weathering and frost heave) which will reduce their strength and can act to reduce stability and may contribute towards a rockfall.
Changes in the stress state: Construction or the application of a large load on the top of the slope or cliff will increase the stress within the rock in the cliff face and this may exceed the strength of the discontinuities in certain sections leading to rockfalls.
A change in the slope or cliff geometry (e.g. cutting a steeper slope into a rock face when building a road) may also lead to instability and a rockfall.
This may also be caused by undercutting in coastal cliff faces due to wave action creating a wave cut notch leading to a loss of support to the overlying rockmass causing it to collapse.
Dynamic loading: The seismic waves / vibrations caused by earthquakes, explosions (from quarrying or during the blasting used during the construction of road cuttings through rock) can act to cause rock falls.
What else can I help you with?
How is a slump a mass movement?
A slump is a mass movement characterized by the downward movement of a coherent mass of rock or soil along a curved surface. It usually occurs on steep slopes or cliffs and is driven by the force of gravity. The movement can be triggered by heavy rainfall, erosion, or changes in slope stability.
Clay cliffs may do this after heavy rain?
slumping the slump this is where the land moves down. i know why you are asking this. my younger bro had to do the worksheet aswell slumping the slump this is where the land moves down. i know why you are asking this. my younger bro had to do the worksheet aswell
What does slump mean?
A slump refers to a period of decline or a decrease in performance, motivation, or confidence. It can be temporary and is often associated with feeling stuck or demotivated.
What is slump?
Slump is a temporary period of decreased economic output or activity. It can refer to a decline in business activity, sales, or production in a particular industry or region. Slumps are often characterized by reduced consumer spending and confidence.
Is slump an example of mass movement?
No, slump is not an example of mass movement. Slump is a type of soil movement that involves the downward sliding of a mass of rock or soil along a curved surface. Mass movements usually involve the downslope movement of material under the influence of gravity, such as landslides and rockfalls.
How is a slump a mass movement?
A slump is a mass movement characterized by the downward movement of a coherent mass of rock or soil along a curved surface. It usually occurs on steep slopes or cliffs and is driven by the force of gravity. The movement can be triggered by heavy rainfall, erosion, or changes in slope stability.
What are true slump and shear slump in slump test?
A shear breaks off or crumbles. A slump stays together however it will slump down.
Type of slump test?
Type of slump test are,True slumpShear slumpCollapse slump
What is a sentence for slump?
Don't slump, you'll injure your spine.There was a big slump in sales.
What are the slump types which can be occurred in concrete?
ture slump
How does a slump happen?
a slump occurs when it wants to:) lol its for real!!
What is the duration of Dr. Slump?
The duration of Dr. Slump is 300.0 seconds.
What is a slump cylinder?
When dealing with conrete the "slump" refers to how much will a sample sag, reduce in height in a given time frame. re: a 5" slump means that after removing the CYLINDER the concrete will lose 5 inches of elevation. The slump cylinder is the tool used to determine the slump of concrete.
When was Dr. Slump created?
Dr. Slump was created on 1981-07-18.
When was The Sophtware Slump created?
The Sophtware Slump was created on 2000-05-29.
How to get out of a baseball fielding slump?
You can get out of a baseball fielding slump by being calm and relaxed
What is the opposite of slump?
The opposite of a "slump" (decrease in output or success) could be either a rise or an increase. Following a slump can be a rebound or resurgence. Slang terms for the opposite of being in a slump include being on "a streak", "a run" or "a roll."
