Slow-to-fast transition of giant creeping rockslides modulated by undrained loading in basal shear zones.

ABSTRACT: Giant rockslides are widespread and sensitive to hydrological forcing, especially in climate change scenarios. They creep slowly for centuries and then can fail catastrophically posing major threats to society. However, the mechanisms regulating the slow-to-fast transition toward their catastrophic collapse remain elusive. We couple laboratory experiments on natural rockslide shear zone material and in situ observations to provide a scale-independent demonstration that short-term pore fluid pressure variations originate a full spectrum of creep styles, modulated by slip-induced undrained conditions. Shear zones respond to pore pressure increments by impulsive acceleration and dilatancy, causing spontaneous deceleration followed by sustained steady-rate creep. Increasing pore pressure resul

SUBMITTER: Agliardi F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7067777 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature