Synonym: Rock avalanche landscape
This is a geomorphic landscape that forms by the collapse of a rock mass in a piedmont (or valley) due to gravity. Rockfalls occur extensively in hard rock masses, especially carbonate rocks, clastic rocks and metamorphic rocks with structural fragmentation or weak layers. In addition to natural rockfalls, some rock avalanches are caused by human activities along railways, roads and open cast mines. The fallen rock that accumulates at the slope edge is called a talus cone. Rock avalanches are very damaging; they can destroy buildings, block traffic and cause serious casualties and property losses.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2020). Rockfall Landscape. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_2105
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_2105
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2537-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2538-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences