Erosion by mass wasting Flashcards
What’s mass wasting?
A process by which soil, sand, regolith, and rocks move downslope as one, under the force of gravity and is frequently affected by water.
What’s the angle of response?
The angle where slopes are stable (37 degrees = or
What is mass wasting characterized by?
speed
What are the causes of mass movement?
Steep slopes, excess water, overloading, change in vegetation, weathering of soil/ rock, and vibrations
What does it mean when you see a bowed tree or drunken forest?
It’s on a slope and the slope is moving downward
Why are the called bowed trees?
Because the trees look like bows
Why is it called a drunken forest?
Because the trees are leaning towards the direction the slope is about to fall
What’s a creep slope?
A very slow downhill movement of soil, rock, and debris
What’s a rockslide slope?
A downhill movement that occurs on a flat dipping surface that become lubricated
What’s a mudflow?
A downhill movement of mud & soil that become water. Saturates very quickly and flows down like “thick soup” & buries everything in its path
What’s a slump?
A downhill movement sliding down on a curved plan. Think of a human slumping in a chair.
