Lavaka, the Malagasy word for "hole", is a type of erosional feature common in Madagascar. They are most abundant in the central highlands of Madagascar, where there are deep laterites developed on in steep terrain in a monsoonal climate. Lavakas form where hard laterites overlie thick (tens of meters) saprolite, on steep (35 to 55 degree) slopes, in areas that have a hot dry season and a warm wet season.
Lavakas are not landslides. They are a type of gully, formed via groundwater sapping. Associated erosion is usually rapid, producing a sediment yield on the order of 8000 cubic metres over several months.
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