Australia: The Land Where Time Began

A biography of the Australian continent 

Slope Stability near Wollongong, Australia - the Influence of Debris Mantles and Local Climatic Variations

The landslide distribution near Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, is related to mantles of debris from ancient mass movements. Water movement may be impeded by these mantles or they can mask important subsurface topography, though they occasionally move as veneers or as bedrock failures that are more deep-seated. Landslide frequency in this area has increased since 1950, the increase appearing to result from high rainfall over that period. It is considered that the climate variable that controls long-term instability the most is the average excess of precipitation over evaporation.

Sources & Further reading

1. Young, Ann R. M. "The Influence of Debris Mantles and Local Climatic Variations on Slope Stability near Wollongong, Australia." CATENA 5, no. 2 (9// 1978): 95-107.