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Science 23 March 1984:
Vol. 223. no. 4642, pp. 1288 - 1290
DOI: 10.1126/science.223.4642.1288
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Articles

Rock Avalanches Caused by Earthquakes: Source Characteristics

DAVID K. KEEFER 1

1 U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025

Study of a worldwide sample of historical earthquakes showed that slopes most susceptible to catastrophic rock avalanches were higher than 150 meters and steeper than 25 degrees. The slopes were undercut by fluvial or glacial erosion, were composed of intensely fractured rock, and exhibited at least one other indicator of low strength or potential instability.

Submitted on March 4, 1983
Accepted on July 4, 1983

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)