Which of these mass movement events is considered

a) creep

b) rock avalanche

c) slump

d) rock fall

Rock avalanche is a mass movement event that is considered a slide. The correct answer is B.

Rock avalanche is a large landslide from rock slopes. It travels farther than smaller events. Rock avalanche rarely occur but they are very catastrophic events that can result into huge fatalities.

Rock avalanche is very dangerous being the most deadly of all landslides events. It is a deep seated rock that is made up of rapid break up of failed rock mass with high velocities and long run-outs.

Rock avalanches became known in 19th century in Switzerland. It was first recognized in Switzerland when the Elm and Goldau events killed several people that are even far away from the origin of the slide.  

The Elm and Goldau events in Switzerland revealed Rock avalanche possesses some peculiarities. Both events entail volumes of cubic meters that engaged large amount of energy and the distance covered in both events is very long.

After these catastrophic events, all rockslides that relates to these characteristics are classified as large rockslides, rock avalanche or “sturzstorms”.  

Rock avalanche always result in high number of fatalities in developing countries. However, landslide is triggered by heavy earthquake, heavy rainfall and many other natural causes.

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