Lahar vs. Landslide — What's the Difference?

A lahar ( , from Javanese: ꦮ꧀ꦭꦲꦂ) is a violent type of mudflow or debris flow composed of a slurry of pyroclastic material, rocky debris and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley.Lahars are extremely destructive: they can flow tens of metres per second, they have been known to be up to 140 metres (460 ft) deep, and large flows tend to destroy any structures in their path.

The term landslide or, less frequently, landslip, refers to several forms of mass wasting that may include a wide range of ground movements, such as rockfalls, deep-seated slope failures, mudflows, and debris flows. Landslides occur in a variety of environments, characterized by either steep or gentle slope gradients, from mountain ranges to coastal cliffs or even underwater, in which case they are called submarine landslides.

A mass of volcanic fragments, often mixed with water, moving rapidly down the side of a volcano.

The downward sliding of a relatively dry mass of earth and rock.

The deposit produced by a lahar.

The mass that slides. Also called landslip.

(geology) A volcanic mudflow.

A percentage of votes greatly exceeding the required margin of victory.

An avalanche of volcanic water and mud down the slopes of a volcano

An election that sweeps a party or candidate into office.

A great victory.

A natural disaster that involves the breakup and downhill flow of rock, mud, water and anything caught in the path.

A vote won by a wide or overwhelming majority.

To undergo a landslide.

The slipping down of a mass of land from a mountain, hill, etc.

The land which slips down.

An election victory in which the winning candidate receives a substantial majority of the votes, usually meaning at least ten per cent more than any opposing candidate.

Any overwhelming victory.

An overwhelming electoral victory;

A slide of a large mass of dirt and rock down a mountain or cliff