A Monash University expert is available to comment on the Mornington landslide and the risk of further
Professor Ha Bui, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University
Contact details: +61 408 508 454 or ha.bui@monash.edu
Professor Bui founded a world-first technology that can not only predict where disasters like landslides or an avalanche could occur, but can also simulate scenarios showing how the events could unfold in real-time, suggesting strategies that could avert loss of life by channelling them away from populated areas and vital infrastructure.
The following comments can be attributed to Professor Bui:
Landslide causes
“Landslides result from factors like prolonged rainfall, unstable soil, underground water seepage, and human activities such as excavation. On the Mornington Peninsula, recent weather patterns, along with reports of persistent underground water bubbling in the area, point to the possibility of internal erosion - a process that gradually weakens the soil structure due to underground seepage flow, ultimately leading to slope instability and triggering a collapse”
Predictability
“Although exact prediction is difficult, signs like water seepage, ground cracks, or landform changes can highlight high-risk areas. Advances in real-time monitoring, satellite imaging, and geotechnical modelling are making it increasingly feasible to detect and forecast these risks with improved accuracy.”
Future risk
“A failed slope is more prone to further landslides if underlying conditions aren't resolved. Continuous monitoring and early detection systems are crucial to reducing risks."
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