MASS WASTING Flashcards
- movement of rock and soil downslope under the influence of gravity
- contributes to the slow reduction of land masses
mass wasting
sudden failure of slope resulting in transport of debris downhill
slope failures
- debris flows down mixed with water/air
- slurry flows
- granular flows
sediment flows
downward settling of material with little horizontal motion
subsidence
single rock/mass of rock dislodged and collide with cliffs
Fall
occurs when piece of rock dislodges and falls downslope
rock falls
involves a mixture of soil, regolith, vegetation, and rocks
debris fall
- forward rotation and movement of debris
- occurs near the base of the block
topple
when rocks and debris slide down a pre-existing surface
slide (translational slide)
- downward rotation of rock/regolith along a concave-upward curved surface
- leaves scars/depressions
slump (rotational slide)
debris flow with a mix of water/air
Flows
distinct, often symmetrical geometric shapes formed by ground material in periglacial regions
patterned ground
a slurry flow that results from heavy rains saturating soil and regolith
debris flow
a slurry flow that is highly fluid and has a consistency like wet concrete
mudflow
term for volcanic mudlfows
lahars
ridge on a hillside formed when saturated soil expands and contracts which cause them to slowly move downhill
terracette
granular flow that tends to be narrow tongue-like features beginning as scarps or small cliffs
earthflow
granular flow formed in dry materials and moves rapidly downslope
grain flow
granular flow of high velocity triggered by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions which result in collapse of a slope
debris avalanches
a subsidence that is a shallow, sediment-filled body of water formed by glaciers/ floodwaters
kettle
