Mass Movements 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Mass Wasting
A
is the downslope movement of regolith and masses of rocks and sediments under the pull of gravity
2
Q
Role of Gravity
A
gravitational forces act to hold objects in place by pulling on them in a direction perpendicular to the surface
3
Q
Role of Gravity and Slope Angle Types
A
- shear stress
- normal stress
4
Q
Shear Stress
A
is the downslope component of the total stress involved
5
Q
What can shear stress be increased by?
A
- steepening a slope by erosion
- jolting it by earthquake
- shaking it by blasting water
6
Q
Normal Stress
A
is the perpendicular component of the total stress
7
Q
What is the angle of repose?
A
- the stable slope of a pile of loose particles
- the angle of repose is a function of the grain size of particles in the pile
8
Q
Smaller/Smoother Particles have what kind of angle of repose?
A
lower angles of repose
9
Q
Angles of Repose For Fine Sand Coarse Sand Angular Pebbles
A
35
40
45
10
Q
Role of Water
A
- adding water to a pile of loose material actually makes it more stable
- it also reduces friction between grains
