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A pattern in the incidence of major coastal mudslides
Author(s) -
Hutchinson J. N.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290080411
Subject(s) - mudflow , cliff , stratum , geology , feature (linguistics) , erosion , landslide , geomorphology , physical geography , paleontology , geography , linguistics , philosophy
Abstract The communication considers eroding coastal cliffs which consist predominantly of stiff‐fissured clay overlying a more resistant stratum, the contact having a gentle component of coastwise dip. From the southern coasts of England, five such cliffs are described. In each of these a zone of dominant mudsliding exists, which stands out from the background of lesser mudslides and other forms of failure: the common feature is that in each case the zone of major mudsliding coincides closely with the length of cliff over which the base of the clay stratum lies within the tidal range, and generally within the upper part of this. It is suggested that this pattern results from optimum conditions for continuing stimulation of mudslide activity by toe erosion being reached in the above zone.