Coasts - Weathering And Mass Movement Processes Flashcards
1
Q
What are the mass movement processes?
A
- landslide
- landslip/slump
- rockfall
- mudflow
- soil creep
2
Q
Describe rockfall
A
- weathering causes pieces of rock to break off the cliff
3
Q
Describe a landslide
A
- Rainfall enters joints in the cliff
- eventually causes the cliff face to slide down
4
Q
Describe a landslip/slump
A
- build up of water in the pores of the slope
- collapses under its own weight
5
Q
Describe soil creep
A
- gravity causes soil to slowly move down a slope
- can cause steps on the surface, or trees/other object to bend
6
Q
Describe mudflows/rotational slide
A
- heavy rainfall liquifies existing debris
- causes it to flow down a slope
7
Q
What are the different types of weathering?
A
- mechanical physical forces
- chemical = chemical reactions
- biological = vegetation
8
Q
What are the types of biological weathering? (Describe them)
A
- decaying vegetation = water flowing over decaying vegetation becomes slightly acidic, and then wears any rock that it flows over
- plants roots = roots grow into the cracks of rock and expand it due to pressure, which can cause rocks to split
9
Q
What are the types of mechanical weathering? (Describe them)
A
- freeze-thaw = water enters cracks and expands when it freezes, and when it melts the gap is bigger so more water enters and the process repeats
- wetting and drying = rocks expand when wet and contract when dry, which can cause the rock to break off when this process is repeated
- salt crystallisation = evaporated seawater leaves salt crystals behind and they widen cracks in the rock as they growth
10
Q
What are the types of chemical weathering? (Describe them)
A
- oxidation = minerals exposed to air will oxidise and expand, causing rock to crumble
- carbonation - rainwater can absorb CO2 and become acidic, which dissolves soft rocks
- solution = rock minerals are dissolved
11
Q
What factors can affect vulnerability to sub-aerial processes?
A
- climate
- temperature
