Lesson delivery

• Student directed

Lesson description

Geomorphic hazards are introduced, with a focus on mass movements (landslips and slides).

The Illawarra escarpment is prone to landslides and rock fall. The landslide on Mount Keira / Djeera of 2012 is used as a case study: students map the spatial aspects of the event, explain the geo-morphology that led to the event, examine possible human activities that led to the event and assess the ways in which future landslides can be managed.

Estimated time

• 90 minutes

Supporting materials

Lesson 6 worksheet - Geomorphic hazards

The shifting tectonic plates you were introduced to in Lesson One slowly move continents and build mountain ranges. The forces deep in the Earth responsible for this movement also create volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Weathering and erosion also lead to instability, and when combined with human activities all these factors create geomorphic hazards.

Landslides in the Illawarra

The dramatic geomorphic hazards of volcanoes, earthquakes and Tsunamis are quite unlikely to pose a threat to the Illawarra region. However the Illawarra escarpment and Mt Keira / Djeera are susceptible to land slides.