Understanding mudslides and other debris flows through mathematics
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 07:20
in Paleontology & Archaeology
(Phys.org) —Mudslides. Landslides. Volcanic debris flows. Avalanches. Falling rocks. They can come along so suddenly that people, homes, roads and even towns are buried or destroyed without much warning. Recently, we've had dramatic reminders of this, such as the mudslide in Oso, Wash., where 41 people died; an avalanche on Mt. Everest that killed 13 experienced Sherpas and another landslide event in Jackson, Wyo. And as much as ancient Pompeii serves as the most dramatic, historic reminder of the incredible element of surprise these events can wield, what seems extraordinarily incalculable is becoming...well, calculable.