Landslide Setup Directions
*Read through all of the directions FIRST then you may begin setting up and
planning your group experiment*
Step 1: Collect the following materials for your group:
• 1 clear container
• Earth materials:
• Sand
• Soil
• Gravel
• Snow (optional)
• Twigs, grass, etc. for vegetation cover
• 1 Graduated cylinder
• 1 Watering can or spray bottle
• 1 Protractor (to measure slope angle)
• 1 Scale
• 1 Stopwatch (optional)
Step 2:
• Get the scale and put a piece of paper over it.
• Place the earth material on the paper over the scale and measure to the
appropriate weight.
• The amount of material that you need to use is posted by group number on
the white board.
• Place the material into the clear container one layer at a time.
• Be sure to fill the container only half way across and leave some room at the top
(so that it looks similar- not exact- to the figure below).
Step 3:
• Prop the container up so that it sits at a 25º angle.
• The angle your group is supposed to use is posted by group number on the
white board.
Step 4:
• S-L-O-W-L-Y apply water to the earth materials in the container until it is
saturated.
• After you have saturated the landscape you will slowly add water in measured
increments until a landslide occurs.
• Use the graduated cylinder to measure the amount of water that you apply.
• Record the total amount of water that you use on your landslide worksheet.
Step 5:
• For the remainder of the lab you will work as a group to design the
experimental steps of your lab.
• Use the landslide worksheet to help guide you along the way.
• When recording your data and making observations think about the different
parts of a landslide (included in the landslide worksheet) and the different types
of landslides you learned about in lecture.
• Don’t forget to record all of your observations- you will be sharing the results
of your experiment with the class.
• You can use the worksheet and/or create a poster to present your groups results
to the class.