Alberta scientists help determine cause of landslide in India
Researchers from around the world have been working to understand the cause of a landslide in Chamoli, India that occurred on Feb. 7.
More than 25 million cubic metres of rock and ice caused massive amounts of damage in the Chamoli district in India’s Uttarakhand region.
The landslide left 200 people either dead or missing and caused $75 million in damages.
It also destroyed two hydro power stations.
A team of 53 researcher and scientists were brought together to determine what made this particular landslide so devastating.
Jeffrey Kavanaugh, co-author of the study and an associate professor with the University of Alberta’s department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, says there were a combination of factors the landslide as destructive as it was.
“Our study showed that the particular makeup of the slide, roughly 80 per cent rock and 20 per cent ice, was close to a ‘worst-case’ scenario. The slide fell a great distance — in total, well over three vertical kilometres — which released enough energy to melt almost all of the ice.”
The landslide was moving so quickly that the energy it created melted the ice underneath.
This turned the slide into a dense, fast moving mixture of rock, water and ice.
Kavanaugh noted that landslides are common in this part of the world, but could be happening more frequently.
“This is a location where mountain hazards are significant and potentially increasing due to climatic change, and where there are significant concerns regarding environmental impacts, public safety and social justice.”
It took the team of researchers months to determine the definitive cause of the landslide.
Everything from satellite imagery, seismic records and even eye-witness videos of the events.
This helped the team to determine with a high degree of accuracy what made the slide this dangerous.
Dan Shugar, from the University of Calgary, led the team and said all the information was used to created computer models of the slide.
“High-resolution satellite imagery obtained as the disaster unfolded was critical to helping us understand the event in almost real time,” Shugar stated. “We tracked a plume of dust and water to a conspicuous dark patch high on a steep slope. This was the source of a giant landslide that triggered the cascade of events, and caused immense death and destruction.”
The full report on the events in Chamoli will be published in Science Magazine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.