Mass Movement Flashcards
Regolith
Loose material produced when rocks are weathered and eroded
Mass movement
The movement of material down a slope
Process
Is known as mass movement
Name the factors affecting mass movement
Gradient Water content Human activity Vegetation Animals
Gradient
Refers to the steepness of the slope
Water content
Makes the regolith heavier which makes it move faster, rain can also speed up mass movements movement
Human activity
Building roads or quarrying in upland areas can make land unstable which causes mass movement
Vegetation
Roots of plants and trees keep soil stable which prevents mass movement
Animals
Burrowing animals, overgrazing can make land unstable
What is soil creep
Movement of soil down a slope due to gravity, it is the slowest form of mass movement e.g. Fences and poles tile. Cracks in walls
Boy bursts
Mass of a bog or peat moves down slope. Harvey rainfall causes peat to become saturated which causes it to move downslope (mudflow)
Name an example of a dangerous mudflow
Laher
