Regional geology and landslides in the marine clay deposits of eastern Canada

Abstract
A detailed inventory of the numerous landslides which have taken place in the Province of Quebec has shown that they are concentrated in given areas. Extensive studies carried out in three different areas have revealed a coincidence between the concentration of landslides and the existence of valleys in the bedrock underlying the clay deposits.Piezometric levels measured on the field have consistently shown the prevalence of a downward gradient in the upper part of the slope and an upward gradient with artesian pressure at the toe. These flow conditions which can be imputed in part to the presence of the valley in the bedrock produce the leaching of the salt in the pore water of the clay resulting in a decrease of the shear strength and an increase of sensitivity of the clay.