geohazard
Natural terrain threat
A geohazard is a geological or environmental condition that poses risk to people, property, or infrastructure.
The term covers earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, and similar natural phenomena: The engineering report identified several geohazards along the proposed pipeline route.
Geohazard assessments are standard in construction, mining, and land-use planning.
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- faultImperfection or blame
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- magnitudeSize or scale
aftershock · seismograph · seismometer · seismology · tectonics · liquefaction · shockwave · P-wave
Seismic sea surge
- coastal erosionLand loss at sea edges
- storm surgeWind-driven coastal flooding
- sea-level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
- coastal retreatVacation near the sea
wave action · tidal surge · cliff collapse · beach erosion · rip current · cyclone · typhoon · hurricane
Mass of earth falling
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- mudflowFast-moving liquefied earth
- debris flowWater-saturated sediment surge
- avalancheRapid mountain snow collapse
slump · creep · topple · earthflow · subsidence · scree · talus · destabilization
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
caldera · crater · lahar · tephra · pumice · fumarole · vent · lava dome
Overwhelming water overflow
- flash floodRapid overflow from storms
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- storm surgeWind-driven coastal flooding
- delugeSevere overflow of water
overflow · pluvial · fluvial · streamflow · waterlogging · high water · watershed · precipitation
Eroded soluble rock terrain
- cavityEmpty space within
- collapseSudden structural failure
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
- bedrockSolid stone underground
aquifer · groundwater · cenote
Loss of topsoil
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- gullyChannel carved by flowing water
- rillVery small stream
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
scouring · abrasion · desertification · deflation · wind erosion · water erosion · badlands · sedimentation
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
magnitude · aftershock · seismograph · seismometer · seismology · tectonics · liquefaction · shockwave · P-wave · S-wave
tsunami
Seismic sea surge
- coastal erosionLand loss at sea edges
- storm surgeWind-driven coastal flooding
- sea-level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
coastal retreat · wave action · tidal surge · cliff collapse · beach erosion · rip current · cyclone · typhoon · hurricane
landslide
Mass of earth falling
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- mudflowFast-moving liquefied earth
- debris flowWater-saturated sediment surge
avalanche · slump · creep · topple · earthflow · subsidence · scree · talus · destabilization
eruption
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
ash · caldera · crater · lahar · tephra · pumice · fumarole · vent · lava dome · sulfur dioxide
flood
Overwhelming water overflow
- flash floodRapid overflow from storms
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- storm surgeWind-driven coastal flooding
deluge · overflow · pluvial · fluvial · streamflow · waterlogging · high water · watershed · precipitation · monsoon
karst
Eroded soluble rock terrain
- cavityEmpty space within
- collapseSudden structural failure
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
bedrock · aquifer · groundwater · cenote
soil erosion
Loss of topsoil
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- gullyChannel carved by flowing water
- rillVery small stream
sediment · scouring · abrasion · desertification · deflation · wind erosion · water erosion · badlands · sedimentation · deposition