ABSTRACT
In 1891 on the 12th July during an extremely heavy rainstorm a landslip occurred on the steep north western slopes of Mount Dandenong. This landslip initiated a debris flow with a volume of about 30,000 cubic meters which resulted in considerable damage up to about 2km from its source. The widespread occurrence of rock at shallow depth and relatively flat terrain means that landslips are a relatively uncommon in much of the Melbourne region. Landslips are relatively common in hilly areas where the Tertiary Older Volcanics crop out. While many of the landslips are regarded as old and probably of Pleistocene age because of their subdued surface form. Uncontrolled development generally increases the risk of landslips occurring. Aspects of urbanisation which typically have a detrimental effect with regard to landslips include the stripping of vegetation, the direct introduction of water into the soil, modification of slope geometry, and the placement of fills.
