Mass movement: a case study of the Wear valley

A case study of the Wear valley

Mass movements are studied at A-level as a natural hazard. In the UK they rarely cause death or injury but, as this case study shows, they can be costly and inconvenient. This article explains the basics of mass movements and shows how the different types occurred on the banks of the River Wear at Durham, following the very wet period of 2012–13

Tim Burt

Photograph 1 The River Wear during Durham Regatta. Note how the entire right-hand bank shows signs of collapse

Mass movement is a natural hazard that can take the form of landslides, debris flows or heave (for example caused by freeze–thaw). Box 1 explains the basics of these mass-movement processes. This article puts these processes in context using a case study of landslides in the Wear valley close to Durham during the very wet period, 2012–13.

Mass movements occurred in the casestudy area at various scales. At the smallest scale, many small slumps occurred along the river banks, sometimes disrupting footpath access but otherwise causing little impact. At a larger scale, a major rock failure in Durham city reminds us of the way in which the Durham gorge (see the front cover photo) was gradually eroded in the post-glacial era. The largest landform described is a complex landslide which blocked a cycle route and main footpath for many months. Although they are a natural hazard, in the UK landslides rarely cause loss of life. However they can disrupt local transport and public access routes.