What is Mass wasting?
Mass wasting, sometimes known as slope or mass movement, is the large movement of soil, rock, and debris downhill because of the force of gravity. It is a natural phenomenon initiated by gravity but made possible by a combination of several factors. Modern geography has enlarged the definition of mass wasting to include natural erosion and the submerging of the earth's surface. Mass wasting occurs along slopes such as hill or mountain sides and can result in significant alteration of the surrounding terrain. Mass wasting is a form of landslide.
Causes Of Mass Wasting:
Several factors cause mass wasting besides gravitational pull. They include:
- Volcanic Activities
- Earthquake Shocks
- Landslides
- Mudslide
Types Of Mass Wasting:
Rockslides And Rockfalls
A rockslide occurs when a mass of bedrock in a slanted surface moves rapidly along a fault. The slide results in the shifting of rocks that destabilize the surrounding environment leading to a rock avalanche.
Debris Flows
Debris flows are the common types of mass wasting. This form of mass wasting involves the movement of earth downslope as a single block or as mudflow. The flowing debris moves rocks, trees, houses, and vehicles along the path.
Soil Creep
Soil creep is the mass movement of the earth over a long time. It is caused by the slow movements of rocks and soil in different directions because of gravity. The movement is proportional to the slope. Trees and shrubs remain perpendicular, and it is hard to notice the mass wasting using the naked eye.
Monitoring Mass Wasting
In some areas, it is necessary to establish warning systems so that we know if conditions have changed at a known slide area, or if a rapid failure, such as a debris flow, is actually on its way downslope.
Mitigating the Impacts of Mass Wasting
In situations where we can’t predict, prevent, or delay mass-wasting hazards, some effective measures can be taken to minimize the associated risk.
Iran Mass wasting: Iran faces significant challenges related to both agricultural waste and mass wasting. Let’s delve into each of these issues.
Agricultural Waste in Iran:
Global agricultural waste poses a serious threat to food security. Unfortunately, Iran contributes significantly to this problem.
Annual food waste in Iran: Each year, Iran wastes 35 million tons of food during various harvesting stages, which is 25 times more than the annual agricultural waste produced by developed countries.
Potential impact: The wasted food in Iran could actually feed 15 million people annually.
Value of wasted food: The value of this wasted food is equivalent to half of the country’s oil revenue.
Resource wastage: By discarding food, Iran also wastes 300 million liters of fuel and 13.7 billion cubic meters of water that were required for its production.
Water consumption: Due to drought conditions and high evaporation rates, Iran allocates 90% of its water consumption to agriculture.
Mitigation strategies: To address this issue, Iran must improve farming practices, enhance supply chain efficiency, and implement better government policies. Legislation, support for farmers, and investment in technology are crucial steps1.
High potential: The seismic activity in Iran leads to landslides and rock falls in the high mountains of Alborz and Zagros.
Impact: These mass wasting phenomena pose risks to transportation, infrastructure, and human safety.
Awareness and mitigation: Understanding the factors contributing to mass wasting and implementing preventive measures are essential for minimizing its impact.
The provided information offers a comprehensive overview of mass wasting in Iran, highlighting its geological, topographical, climatic, and human influences. It effectively emphasizes the significance of this natural hazard and its implications for both society and the environment. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete