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USGS · 70013505

Rock avalanches caused by earthquakes: Source characteristics

D. K. Keefer
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Abstract

Study of a worldwide sample of historical earthquakes showed that slopes most susceptible to catastrophic rock avalanches were higher than 150 meters and steeper than 25 degrees. The slopes were undercut by fluvial or glacial erosion, were composed of intensely fractured rock, and exhibited at least one other indicator of low strength or potential instability.

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D. K. Keefer. 1984. Rock avalanches caused by earthquakes: Source characteristics. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.223.4642.1288

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