Iran's Mass Wasting Hazards

Mass wasting is a term used for any type of down slope movement of earth materials. It is a significant part of the process or erosion because it moves materials from high elevations to lower elevations. There are various types of mass wasting distinguished by the type of earth material moving down- slope, the speed in which it moves, and sometimes the mechanics involved in its motion. Common examples are creep, earthflows, landslides, mud and debris flows, rockfalls, rock and debris avalanches, rock slides, rock topple, and slumps. The primary cause for mast wasting is the steepness of slope. Gravity is the driving force but it can also be triggered by other natural events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding. Climate can also have a great influence. Certain human activities are known to affect mass wasting as well. Many potential problems can be avoided by sufficient planning techniques and engineering solutions. 

Mass wasting is being considered as one of the severe forms of natural disaster. Iran is geographically located in the Alps- Himalayas seismicity belt. It has a high potential to mass wasting. This creates land slides and rock fall in the Alborz and Zagros Mountains. Iran's scientists started mapping and studying various types of mass movement and stability of slopes. In the study, they used field data coupling with tectonic- related factors to provide a solution for slope related hazards. They first looked at geological factors such as lineaments and faults, vegetation, lithology, slope, drainage, land/use, land cover, seismicity and road networks. The study was divided into four regions based on the rate of mass wasting and its degree of vulnerability. The results showed how severe the erosion was in Karaj formation. The research also showed hydrothermal solutions caused by the erosional activities had influenced the glassy element of the tuffs and subsequently changed into the clays. Resulted in making the tuffs relatively unstable. It was found evident that most of the mass wasting has occurred in the unstable tuffs on the Karaj formation. Iran realized their road construction has increased the potential danger for generating the mass waste. They are trying to figure out a way to build roads that create the least amount of unstability. 

Works Cited: 

"What Causes Avalanches, Landslides, Flow, and Creep?" About. com. Education. Web. 26 Mar, 2016. 

"A Recent Scenario of Mass Wasting and Its Impact on the Transportation in Alborz Mountains, Iran Using Geo-information Technology." ResearchGate. Web. 26 Mar. 2016.