mudflow

mudflow
/mud"floh'/, n. Geol.
1. a flow of mixed earth debris containing a large amount of water.
2. the dried-out product of such a flow. Also called mud slide, mudspate.
[1900-05; MUD + FLOW]

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Flow of water that contains large amounts of suspended particles and silt.

Mudflows usually occur on steep slopes where vegetation is too sparse to prevent rapid erosion, but they can also occur on gentle slopes under certain conditions. Factors other than slope include heavy precipitation in a short period and easily erodible material.

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      flow of water that contains large amounts of suspended particles and silt. It has a higher density and viscosity than a streamflow and can deposit only the coarsest part of its load; this causes irreversible sediment entrainment. Its high viscosity will not allow it to flow as far as a water flow.

      Mudflows occur on steep slopes where vegetation is not sufficient to prevent rapid erosion but can occur on gentle slopes if other conditions are met. Other factors are heavy precipitation in short periods and an easily erodible source material. Mudflows can be generated in any climatic regime but are most common in arid and semiarid areas. They may rush down a mountainside at speeds as great as 100 km (60 miles) per hour and can cause great damage to life and property. Boulders as large as houses have been moved by mudflows.

      Mudflow deposits are poorly sorted mixtures of silt, boulders, organic materials, and other debris. They have abrupt and well-defined edges, irregular surfaces, and a lobate appearance; they may be 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 feet) high. Such deposits are extensive on alluvial fans and around the bases of many volcanoes.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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