Earthflow: meaning, definitions and examples
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earthflow
[ ˈɜrθflaʊ ]
geology movement
Earthflow refers to a type of mass wasting or landslide characterized by the slow, downward flow of saturated soil and rock material. It typically occurs in areas with clay-rich soils and is often triggered by heavy rains or earthquakes, leading to the gradual, viscous movement of earth materials down slopes.
Synonyms
landslide, mudflow, soil movement.
Examples of usage
- The heavy rainfall caused an earthflow in the hillside, damaging several homes.
- Scientists studied the earthflow to understand its impact on local ecosystems.
- The earthflow was significant enough to alter the course of the nearby river.
Translations
Translations of the word "earthflow" in other languages:
🇵🇹 fluxo de terra
🇮🇳 पृथ्वी प्रवाह
🇩🇪 Erdfluss
🇮🇩 aliran tanah
🇺🇦 земляний потік
🇵🇱 przepływ ziemi
🇯🇵 アースフロー
🇫🇷 écoulement de terre
🇪🇸 flujo de tierra
🇹🇷 toprak akışı
🇰🇷 지구 흐름
🇸🇦 تدفق الأرض
🇨🇿 zemní tok
🇸🇰 prúd zeme
🇨🇳 土流
🇸🇮 tok zemlje
🇮🇸 jarðstraumur
🇰🇿 жер ағыны
🇬🇪 მიწის ნაკადი
🇦🇿 torpaq axını
🇲🇽 flujo de tierra
Etymology
The term 'earthflow' is derived from the combination of the word 'earth', which dates back to Old English 'eorþe,' meaning ground or soil, and 'flow,' which comes from the Old English 'flōwan,' meaning to move or flow. The concept of earthflow is tied to the field of geology and geomorphology, as it describes a specific type of landslide characterized by a viscous flow of soil and debris. The understanding of earthflows has evolved over time, especially as the study of mass wasting processes became more prominent in geological science. Earthflows can also be associated with human activities such as deforestation and construction, which can increase the risk of soil saturation and subsequent flows. As environmental concerns rise, the study of earthflows becomes increasingly relevant in assessing landscape stability and hazards.