News
Further investigation needed for recent landslide in Papua New Guinea
(7 March 2012)
Prof Dave Petley comments on role of quarry in Papua New Guinea landslide.
In an article for Reuters about the quarry that was excavated by the oil company Exxon Mobil that may have led to the landslide Petley said ...'poorly managed quarries and mines often contributed to large landslides and that a thorough investigation could help prevent future disasters'.
"My working hypothesis, which needs to be tested, is that the quarry played a role in increasing the susceptibility of the slope to failure. Rainfall was then the trigger for the final collapse," said Petley, a geography professor who has offered to help with any investigation.
"The fact that problems with [the quarry's] operation had been identified by independent consultants strengthens that possibility, but it remains far from certain without a proper investigation," Petley added.
The landslide killed at least 25 people in the Southern Pacific country of Papua New Guinea. Further information available using links below.