As defined by our text, mass wasting is, “ a comprehensive term for any type of downslope movement of earth materials” (p216). A landslide is, “the earth-flows and debris flow, rockfalls, and avalanches” (p.216). Not needing any specific trigger, a landslide is fighting is the giving into gravity that causes the event to take place at anytime. Warnings of a landslide include but are not limited to soil moving away from foundation, offset fence lines, leaning telephone poles or fences, sunken road beds, or a faint rumbling sound that increases as a landslide gets closer. Overall, while in a landslide it is important to remember to stay alert and awake. Because things are shifting it is important to be aware that the path of moving debris might shift and you might be in the path of the change. Also, it is advised to evacuate as soon as possible saving yourself not your belongings that can be repurchased at a later safer time.
In 2004, Fiji experienced a landslide affected many people during their easter break. I found this landslide the best to talk about since we will all be on easter break next week as easter is on Sunday. Unfortunately, the landslide killed ten people and according to the article I found there were still many missing people right after the disaster. Fiji’s National Emergency Operations Centre believed that approximately 10,000 were directly affected by the storm and lots of damage was done to crops and buildings. Fortunately the Fiji Red Cross was extremely fast at getting into the disaster zones and helping people evacuate and tend to the wounded. Most injuries were on the feet of the victims from running and sharp object embedded into the mud piercing the skin. Another major concern was clean drinking water and the spread of HIV/AIDS virus. Other types of precautions that Fiji takes include the Fiji Roads Authority advising people of travel plans and what roads to avoid. Alert radio systems help to notify people of actions taking place and what to do in their own area.
