Mudflows

Definition

Mudflows behave more like fluid-transported materials than slides. They often result from slide materials mixing with large amounts of water (e.g., from rivers or heavy rain). Characteristics:

  • Loose, heterogeneous clay-rich materials

  • Triggered by exceeding a critical water content, creating semi-fluid behavior

  • Long travel distances and potentially high velocities

Example

The Photo shows the 2005 clay-rich mudflow on National Road RN 52 in Mila Province. The catastrophic 2003 Beb El-Oued mudflow remains unforgettable, destroying multiple homes and claiming numerous lives.

Mudflow on RN 52 (Mila, 2005)