Geography research on mass movement that has happened in the past.

1. GEOMOPHORLOGY 2AFET
MISS Z NKAWULE 201576241
MASS MOVEMENT

2. DEFINITION OF MASS MOVEMENT
Mass movement: It is a movement surface area caused by gravity
Types of mass movements :
• Rock fall
• Mudflow
• Soil creep
• Landslides
(Ranvenscroft et al.,2012)

3. INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE
A severe mass movement occurred in Alberta
Canada in 1903, it had a mass of about 30.6
million cubic meters. The soil slipped from the top
of the mountain then fell to the streets and the
nearby valley. Lives were lost and properties
(Thomas and Van Schalkwyk, 1993).

4. Landslide picture
Figure 1: Thomas, S.(2001). Available at: htt//quizelt.com/114073185/unidsd-
31environment- concerns-and possibilities flash-cards/.[ Accessed 14 March, 2016]

5. MASS MOVEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
This mass movement occurred in 1987 at KwaZulu
Natal province in South Africa. Since we have different
types of mass movements the one that occurred in KZN
was also landslide, due to heavy rainfall sandy soils of
Natal became supersaturated. The most contributing
factor to the mass movement that occurred throughout
Natal is the inadequate drainage bases. This landslide
contributed to the damage of the railway line and the
increase of death rate in the province (Thomas and Van
Schalkwyk, 1993).

6. Map of KwaZulu Natal
Figure: 2 Map of KwaZulu Natal (Google image) available at www.bigpictureofthebible.com. [accessed
14 March 2016]

7. EFFECTS OF MASS MOVEMENT
• Loss of property
• Severe injuries or death
• Damage of vegetation
• Loss of biodiversity
(Holmes and Meadows, 2012)

8. CONCLUSION
It is very crucial to ensure that natural hazards are being detected on
time to prevent severe damage. For instance in KZN if people were
aware of the landslide, before it occurred more people should have
survived and less damage was going to be happen( Grab and Knight,
2015).

9. REFENCE LIST
Grab, S., and Knight, J (eds). (2015): Landscapes and Landforms of South Africa.
Springer International Publishing, Switzerland
Holmes, P., and Meadows, M. (2012): Southern African Geomorphology: Recent
Trends and New Directions. SUN MeDIA, Bloemfontein
Thomas, P., and Van Schalkwyk, A. (1993) ‘Geological hazards associated with
intense rain and flooding in Natal. ’Journal of African earth science, 16: 45:57
Thomas, S.(2001). Available at:htt//quizelt.com/114073185/unids-31-environment-
concerns-and possibilities flash-card/.[Accessed 14 March 2016]
Dilley, L., Keats, G. K, Nxele, A. A, Ravenscorft, G. (2012)Focus Geography learner’s
textbook grade 11. Cape Town: Maskew
Map (google image) Available at www.bigpictureofthe bible.com.[Accessed
14March 2016]