Weathering and mass movements

Question 1

what are the weathering processes give an example of each?

Answer 1

mechanical weathering (freeze thaw)
chemical weathering (carbonation)
biological weathering (plants)

Question 2

what is freeze thaw and how does it cause weathering?

Answer 2

freeze thaw (a type of mechanical weathering) weathering occurs when rocks are permeable
when water in rocks gets into the cracks it freezes and expands putting pressure on the rock eventually breaking it apart

Question 3

what is carbonation and how does it cause weathering?

Answer 3

carbonation (a type of chemical weathering) is when rainwater and seawater can be a weak acid but overtime a coastline made up of limestone or chalk can become dissolved by the acid in the water .

Question 4

how can plants cause weathering?

Answer 4

plants (a type of biological weathering) can cause weathering because their roots can bury into rocks weakening their structure until it breaks away

Question 5

What are the 4 types of mass movement ?

Answer 5

-rockfall
-mudflow
-landslide
-rotational slip

Question 6

What is mass movement?

Answer 6

The sliding of material under the influence of gravity

Question 7

What is a rockfall?

Answer 7

When fragments of rock break away from a cliff face often caused by freeze thaw or weathering

Question 8

What is mudflow and why does it occur?

Answer 8

Saturated soil and weak rock flow down a slope

This happens because the water acts as a lubricant so the cliff loses friction and slips down

Question 9

What is a landslide?

Answer 9

When blocks of rock slide downhill

Can be caused by weak rock and lack of drainage

Question 10

What is rotational slip?

Answer 10

Slumps of saturated soil and weak rock slip along a CURVED surface forming a stair like formation

Question 11

How can you prevent mass movement?

Answer 11

Drainage, growing trees as the roots hold it together and stop it from getting saturated

Question 12

What factors can affect mass movement?

Answer 12

Rock type-weaker rock will increase it

Gradient (slope)-steeper gradient means increased mass movement due to gravity

Volume of water- more water means more mass movement as it acts as a lubricant

Human activities- heavy infrastructure puts pressure on the top of the cliffs so more mass movement

Vegetation- less vegetation means less to hold soil together so more mass movement

Question 13

What are sub aerial processes?

Answer 13

Processes that happen in open air such as weathering and mass movement