GEO4170 - Landslides and debris flow
Course content
This course introduces the physics of landslides occurring in rocks and soils. It will include an overview of rheological flows, granular flows, rock falls and topples, and other gravity mass flows. Basic concepts in friction, cohesion, shear strength, fluid mechanics and granular flow relevant for understanding the dynamics of slides as well as slope instability and slope failure problems will be introduced.
Learning outcome
You will gain a basic understanding of the physical processes that control landslides and debris flows and how they affect slide potential and run-out distance.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Some knowledge of geomechanics (geotechnics).
Recommended previous knowledge
GEO4130 - Engineering Geology and Geomechanics (discontinued) or equivalent
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with GEO4171 - Floods and landslides and 10 credits overlap with GEO9170 - Landslides and debris flows.Teaching
Lectures, exercises, presentations, discussions.
Examination
Compulsory class exercises (counts 20%), seminar presentation on prescribed topic (counts 30%), final oral examination (counts 50%). All parts must be passed. All parts of assessment will be conducted in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
External auditor: Stein Bondevik
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.