rockfall

geology

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A rockfall is a mass of falling or fallen rocks. It is a type of mass movement, which involves the bulk movement of soil and rock debris down slopes due to gravity.12

Factors that can contribute to rockfalls include:
* The presence of loose rock debris on slopes.2
* The structure and type of rocks, such as permeable beds overlying impermeable ones.2
* Removal of vegetation, which can destabilize slopes.2
* Increased steepness of slopes, either naturally or artificially.2
* Earthquake tremors.2
* The presence of flowing groundwater, which can reduce slope stability.2

These factors, combined with climatic conditions like precipitation and frost, can lead to downslope movement of rock material.2

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mass movement
…of solid rock, known as rockfalls; several types of almost imperceptible downslope movement of surficial soil particles and rock debris, collectively called creep; the subsurface creep of rock material, known as bulging: the multiplicity of downslope movements of bedrock and other debris caused by the separation of a slope section…
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…of solid rock, known as rockfalls; several types of almost imperceptible downslope movement of surficial soil particles and rock debris, collectively called creep; the subsurface creep of rock material, known as bulging: the multiplicity of downslope movements of bedrock and other debris caused by the separation of a slope section…
Read More