What are mudslides?
Mudslides are the most rapid fluid types of down slope mass wasting. They are the rapid movements of a huge mass of mud as a result of the combination of loose earth and water. Mudslides are also known as mudflows (not very liquid), debris flows (in high mountains), and mud stream or lahars (from volcanoes). Mudslides have broad variety in terms of water content (from loamy mud to almost liquid) and material (sandy sediments, silt, wet soil, dirt, volcanic ash, rock debris, small plants and even trees). They also vary in terms of length and total velocity and mass. Causes of mudslides Mudslides usually occur on sharply inclined slopes where vegetation cannot prevent rapid erosion. They can also occur on gentler slopes if certain conditions are met. Large volume of precipitation in short period of time and source materials that are easily eroded are other factors that can trigger mudslides. They are often secondary effects of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and heavy storms. Mudslides
