Casual Observation

7 Comments

1. 

   Geov Parrish on May 13, 2010 at 1:27 am

   Here’s the part that caught my eye:

   The town of Lemieux, Ontario, east of Ottawa, was relocated in 1991 after officials became concerned about the stability of the clay underneath the town. Two years later, a landslide consumed 42 acres near Lemieux’s former location.

   That nasty, socialistic Canadian government, anticipating a natural disaster and taking preventative measures rather than letting the free market work! Can you imagine an American government doing such a thing?

   We only move towns when we want the land for a new military facility…

   • 

     Man Eegee on May 13, 2010 at 2:09 am

     and mines – in this case copper

     • 

       Geov Parrish on May 13, 2010 at 2:21 am

       and nuclear waste.

2. 

   Kamakhya on May 13, 2010 at 3:02 am

   Gee, thanks Boo…something else to scare me out of my wits.  :>)

3. 

   keres on May 13, 2010 at 5:26 am

   I was actually surprised that it wasn’t a case of subsidence above an area mined, or where oil or water was pumped out in vast quantities.

4. 

   rikyrah on May 13, 2010 at 10:48 am

   that was scary

5. 

   Oui on May 13, 2010 at 11:52 am

   .

   Why the ground suddenly gives way

   ST. JUDE, Quebec (CBC) – A family home was sucked into the earth by a landslide in Saint-Jude, Que., late Monday night, killing a family of four, but miraculously their dog, a golden retriever named Foxy, was found alive.

   The cause of the catastrophe was at first reported to be a sinkhole, though experts now say it was a retrogressive landslide.

   The home was located on a riverbank on ground that is predominantly Leda clay, which is a soft, marine clay often found in the Ottawa Valley that can easily liquefy. For this reason, there is some speculation as to whether this was ever a safe environment to build a home.

   Landslides in a clay environment

   There are many different types of landslides. They are named according to the rate and nature of movement, as well as the type of material that is sliding.

   For example, the slide in Saint-Jude was an earth retrogressive landslide because it was earth, not bedrock that gave way. It began close to the nearby river and moved backward from there and slid rapidly downhill.

   When soft clay, such as Leda clay, is subject to friction or pressure, it can easily liquify.

   Aerial View of Saint-Jean-Vianney Landslide, Quebec – 1971

   "But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."