News Article

News Article

1. What is the essence of this article?

The article highlights the plight of the inhabitants of the Portuguese Bend neighborhood on the damages incurred following a landslide in the area. It also helps identify a possible cause for the landslide that resulted in the damages.

2. What is the scientific basis for the homeowners’ suit?

Arbanas & Dugonjic (2010) studied the increase in landslides due to highway construction. They concluded that the risk was dependent on slope conditions, and in a geographically unstable region, the risk was higher. The weight exerted by the road, as well as the strain inflicted on the landmass during the construction, increases the instability making the region more susceptible to landslides.

3. What information is required to evaluate the scientific basis of this lawsuit?

Information on the geometry of the region is crucial, the soil composition and structure, and hydrogeological factors should be evaluated.

Part II. Landslide

1. What are natural conditions in this area conducive to landslides?

The region is hilly with both gentle and steep slopes, with terraces that arise from the sea like giant steps. The landslide region surface also is made up of volcanic rocks with bentonite clay capable of absorbing large amounts of water, which makes it a smooth trigger for a landslide.

2. What is a specific type of mass movement likely to occur in this geologic setting?

The landslide movements are very likely

3. Is it possible that the 1956 Portuguese Bend Landslide was triggered entirely by natural causes?

Yes, it is possible that the landslide was triggered by a natural cause, such as the presence of the steep slopes bearing in mind that the surface is made up of volcanic rocks and bentonite clay.

Part III

1. If you were the judge, who do you think is responsible:
   the County for its negligence,
   B. the homeowners who chose to build their houses on the edge of a bluff, or
   C. both parties share equal responsibility?

Explain your reasoning to the rest of the court.

Both parties share equal responsibilities. The homeowners for not taking appropriate measures to ensure their septic systems would not further compromise the already unstable geography of the land given that they were well aware of the location they had chosen to build in and the county for its negligence to inspect all the constructions in the region, both homes, and roads to ensure that they would not further compromise the environment. This is because the county is normally responsible for giving approvals before any constructions are done.

2. How would the construction of Crenshaw Boulevard differ from the earlier construction of houses in terms of its ability to trigger a landslide?

Roads have more weight compared to houses, and they usually used by many people and heavy trucks. The constant motion on the road keeps affecting the ground movement, accelerating it hence making the region more prone to Landslides compared to having only houses where lesser weights exert pressure and vibrations on the ground.

3. What do the successes of various corrective actions taken here suggest was/ were the cause(s) of the landslide?

The high levels of groundwater and sea waves

Reflection

In Florida, king tides, storm surges, and heavy rains can cause some streets in Miami Beach to flood. It can shut down many businesses and deter tourism. How could the Portuguese Bend case study relate to the coastal flooding in Florida?

The two relate in that in both; surface waters play a role in affecting the region and its activities. While tides contribute to erosion in the Portuguese bend region, they result in floods in Florida. Also, both regions experience similar problems as a result of the challenges affecting the region as listed in the question: closure of many businesses and deterring tourism activities. It is also important to note that while both problems are relatively different, both can be managed through conscious environmental conservation efforts such as controlling surface waters.