Author Question: What factors played a role in the tragic rock slide at Frank, Alberta, Canada, in 1903? What will be ... (Read 38 times)

penguins · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

What factors played a role in the tragic rock slide at Frank, Alberta, Canada, in 1903? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why is there sometimes wire mesh covering a steep slope? What are the characteristics of the type of
mass wasting this is meant to prevent? What will be an ideal response?

jasonq · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Although many of the rocks on Turtle Mountain dip away from the valley, the joints in the massive
limestone composing Turtle Mountain dip steeply toward the valley, so they are parallel with the
mountain's slope. The rocks are weak limestones, shales, and coal layers that underwent slow plastic
deformation from the weight of the overlying limestone. Coal mining along the base of the valley
removed some of the underlying support. Frost action and chemical weathering widened the joints, and
a rock slide resulted.

Answer to Question 2

Wire mesh is put on slopes to prevent dislodged rocks from falling onto the road below. Rockfalls
result from failure of bedrock along joints or bedding planes and occur because the slope has been
undercut (often by building the road). Rocks can be small to massive and can even bury towns