Mass Wasting

Question 1

Mass wasting definition

Answer 1

down slope movement of material under the influence of gravity

Question 2

Gravity

Answer 2

1. main force responsible for mass wasting
2. force that acts everywhere on Earths surface, pulling objects in a direction toward the center of the Earth
3. Natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass- gives weights”

Question 3

Slope failure

Answer 3

collapse of rock or sediment mass. 3 major modes of slope failure or mass wasting

Question 4

modes of slope failure or mass wasting

Answer 4

1. slides- rapid and accelerating, dry, failure along a well defined plane, constant velocity profile moves as a cohesive mass.
2. Flows - rapid and accelerating, wet or dry, velocity profile decreases through the deforming mass
3. Water is usually the key component, but, in some cases, dry flows involve fine particles moving on a layer/cushion of air

Question 5

mass wasting classification

Answer 5

1. mode of movement (slide, flow, heave)
2. Rate (fast, slow)
3. Water content (wet, dry)