What Caused the Massive Rock Slide in Polk County?

Submitted by Nordia Epps on November 11, 2009 - 7:41pm.

Comments Below: 9

That massive rockslide in Polk county has caught the attention of the country.

Seeing the spectacular act of nature has many wondering just why it all came tumbling down.

We went seeking answers.

Vanessa Bateman, TDOT Geologist, "The very first thing that jumped out was the sound."

The popping sound like a car door being slammed...a clear sign of trouble to TDOT geologist Vanessa Bateman.

Bateman, "We couldn't see the rock moving but you could hear it and that's the kind of sound when it makes that, that it's starting to let loose upon the slope."

Sure enough minutes later a wall of rocks, trees, mud and other debris tumbled to the ground...blocking highway 64 in the Ocoee Gorge.

But what caused this awesome show of Mother Nature's power?

Dr. Jonathan Mies, UTC Dept. of Geology, "That rock in the Ocoee is not unlike this rock."

We went to Dr. Jonathan Mies in UTC's geology department for answers.

He says the rocks in the Ocoee have weak spots called cleavage planes.

Dr. Mies, "Particularly when water gets into those planes they are likely to slide and so in looking at that video it appeared that large slabs of rocks slid off of smooth surfaces like this and I would suggest that this is really the reason for that slide."

Dr. Mies discounts the mild earthquakes we see in this area as triggers for this slide.

Dr. Mies, Certainly anytime the ground is agitated you couldn't ignore it as a factor. I don't see it as a real influence here."

Instead he points to recent wet weather as the culprit.

Dr. Mies, "I'd associate this slide probably as much with the rain as anything else and that's quite common for these sorts of rock slides to occur at the time of rain."

An act of nature that put on quite a show.

Bateman, "All of a sudden you hear the rumble and the whole thing came down."

Dr. Mies points out earthquakes are fairly common around here.

We're in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, one of the most energetic areas in Eastern North America.

They tend to be small with no damage.

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Neither sleet, rain, snow or hail or massive rockslides.......

Submitted by The Postmaster (not verified) on November 16, 2009 - 8:22pm.

I live in Cleveland and drive 64 everyday. The day this happened the mail was delayed for a few hours but we have adapted and are also absorbing the extra cost of getting the residents of east Polk County their mail on time. We are not looking for a pat on the back. I just hope that the next time you complain about your mail being late that you remember that some of us are traveling two to three extra hours a day for no extra money and the others are helping to pitch in to make sure you get the best service possible. Thank You for allowing us to serve you. I love what I do. Lets get behind these workers that are cleaning up this mess and give them some time.

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wow people

Submitted by rock slide (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 10:22pm.

Okay, for one.. its not odd that the news crew was there due to the fact the first rock fell around 6 am.. how do I know this.. this is my main way to the hospital and doc office I have to go to .. to have my child.. They had it blocked off after the first 200 ton rock just missed a tractor trailer.. This was just an accident that sadly happened here.. no one was there to cause the rock slide.. if you actually listen to them explaining it.. they tell you its the rain and moisture that cause the rocks to slide.. If you live in this area you would know we have had tons of rain over the past few days and months.. Plus due to some mild earthquakes it was going to happen eventually.. Just be thankful it wasn't during the summer and that no one was hurt in this rock slide. There aren't any rafters here during this time of year..

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Comments on Rock Slide

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 10:02pm.

It's scary. There are some strange people out there.

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Those earthquakes didn't

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 8:34pm.

Those earthquakes didn't help anything, anytime the ground moves something is gonna happen!!!!!!

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DAMN!!!

Submitted by ObbaYabba (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 2:52pm.

I know this may not apply to this particular story, but here goes anyway: Yes, it was a CONSPIRACY completely concocted by the HORRIBLE people at WDEF! They also had their hand in SHOOTING the MOON. They fooled G.W. Bush into believing Iraq had WMD's. They were also involved in the Kennedy assasination. DAMN!!!! You people make me LAUGH! Whats UP? TOO MUCH MOUNTAIN DEW in your diets? HEY, WDEF you little conspirators you. WDEF ROCKS (I don't mean COCAINE ROCKS, but I bet you helped the CIA plant it in poor neighborhoods )all kidding aside, WDEF is cool. P.S. GREAT vid. KUDOS to your crew that just so happened to be there for a story. Or were they?

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Well

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 1:55pm.

It seems sorta funny to me that it happened at the end of were all the work was done for the Olympics. Wonder what all is going to happen after they 4 way all the way thru so tenn can loose more money to the Casino's in NC

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I don't think that anyone

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 10:34am.

I don't think that anyone should mess with the moon or any other of God's creations. When we do so, we are asking for trouble. No, I don't think that they should have shot the moon. This will probably cause many castastrophies.

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It sure is kind of odd it

Submitted by theamerican (not verified) on November 12, 2009 - 6:36am.

It sure is kind of odd it happened right were the rafters put their rafts in the water. And it is kind of odd they had a video camera out there to film it all. It would all most make you think they just wanted some more parking spots for the tourist.

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