landslide physics

[kaleidoscope]

you have a cone and a cilynder, both are the same height and radius. Both are made of the same type of dirt and have the same density and have no additional reinforcement. you let rain fall uniformly on them, which will colapse first?

[Bob S]

These two attached photographs imply that cones are more stable, maybe. A hard cap will actually shield the lower rock from being eroded. The tent rocks in the first photo are very conical. The hoodoos in the second photo look more like cupcakes with a layer of frosting.

Bob S

[added] Neither photo is mine. I found them on the web.