Subaerial Processes, Mass Movement And Weathering Flashcards
1
Q
What influences the morphology of a cliff and can help accelerate erosion?
A
Weathering and mass movement
2
Q
What is weathering?
A
Break down of rock in situ
3
Q
What is mass movement?
A
Transfer of material down slope due to gravity
4
Q
Give 5 examples of mass movement
A
- Rocks fall from sea undercutting cliff
- Runoff; producing V shaped grooves
- Landslides due to saturation
- Mudflows of fine grained material
- Slumping; common feature of UK coasts
5
Q
What is slumping?
A
Type of mass movement occurs in coast zone
6
Q
How are slumps distinguished from slides?
A
By the element of rotation in the flow of the mass as it moves down a curved slip plane
7
Q
What triggers slumps?
A
Undercutting at the base of the cliffs, mass becomes unsupported
8
Q
Name the 3 main types of weathering and give an example of each
A
- Physical weathering; Freeze thaw weathering
- Chemical weathering; Humic acid on vegetated cliffs
- Biological weathering; Between the tidal zones
