Mass Wasting - The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution - page 276

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Figure 11.3 Undercutting a Slope's
Base by Wave Action This sea cliff
north of Bodega Bay, California, was
undercut by waves during the winter
of 1997-1998. As a result, part of
the land slid into the ocean, damaging
several houses.

◗ Figure 11.4 Highway Excavation

Highway excavations disturb the equilibrium of a slope by

a

removing a portion of its support, as well as oversteepening
it at the point of excavation, which can result in

b

Cutting into the hillside to construct this portion of the Pan-
American Highway in Mexico resulted in a rockfall that completely
blocked the road.

d

landslides along the highway.

c