Coasts: Mass Movement Processes

Question 1

Rockfall

Answer 1

Rocks dislodged by mechanical weathering or hydraulic action erosion

Undercutting cliffs by creating wave-cut notches can lead to large falls

Question 2

Topple

Answer 2

Rock strata have very steep seaward dip, and have been undercut by erosion

Leads to instability and blocks of material toppling seaward

Question 3

Translational slide

Answer 3

Very low angle seaward dip in strata causes material to slide down towards the sea

Question 4

Rotational slide/slumping

Answer 4

Occurs along a curved surface, material slowly rotates downslope over long periods of time

Question 5

Flow

Answer 5

Saturated, unconsolidated rocks flow downslope