Mass Movement.
Erosion.
Mass wasting includes several processes caused by gravity that move sediment downhill, such as landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, and creep. These processes are driven by the force of gravity acting on slopes and can be triggered by factors like heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities.
massmovement-any one of several processes by which gravity moves sediment downhil
erosion,weathering and air
erosion,weathering and air
Sediment can be moved by several processes including erosion, transport by water or wind, deposition, and settlement. These processes occur naturally and can also be influenced by human activities, leading to changes in the landscape and ecosystems. Understanding sediment movement is important for managing coastal areas, rivers, and other environments that are affected by sediment deposition and erosion.
A layer of sediment undergoes several key steps. First, it is deposited through processes such as erosion, weathering, and transportation by water, wind, or ice. Over time, the sediment becomes compacted and cemented through lithification, where pressure and chemical processes transform loose particles into solid rock. Finally, the sedimentary layer can be exposed to surface processes, leading to further erosion and the potential for new sedimentary layers to form above it.
Causes of landslidesWe know gravity is the ultimate force behind any landslide and that weathering plays a part. But what pulls the trigger to set a slide in motion?Land surfaces are held together by multiple forces. The most important of these is friction. Some soil particles, like clay, cling to each other tightly, while others, like sand, are only loosely joined. All landscapes are held together by friction between the sediment cover and the underlying bedrock, some more tightly than others. If something is introduced to disrupt the friction on an incline, a landslide slips into action. Landslides occur when gravity overcomes the force of friction.Several common causes of landslides are:Water: Perhaps the most common trigger of a landslide, water reduces the friction between the bedrock and the overlying sediment, and gravity sends the debris sliding downhill. In sand and clay soils, a small amount of water may increase stability. You've likely seen this when building a sand castle or working with clay. However, too much water causes the sediment to flow, which is why many landslides occur after rainstorms.Earthquakes: If the Earth's crust vibrates enough to disrupt the force of friction holding sediments in place on an incline, a landslide can strike.Wildfires: Plants help to stabilize the soil by holding it together like glue with their roots. When this glue is removed, the soil loosens, and gravity acts upon it much more easily. The loss of vegetation after a fire makes the razed land susceptible to slides.Volcanoes: Several characteristics of volcanoes make them a fertile starting point for especially destructive landslides. On the next page, you'll learn just how powerful these volcanic landslides can be.
Glaciers move slowly downhill due to the force of gravity. The speed of movement can vary depending on factors such as slope steepness, temperature, and ice thickness. Generally, glaciers can move anywhere from a few centimeters to several meters per day.
Yes, there are several different agents of erosion, including water, wind, ice, and gravity. Each of these agents can shape the Earth's surface by wearing down rock and soil and transporting sediment from one place to another.
There are several muscles that are used for walking downhill. These include all of the leg muscles and many abdominal muscles.
Glaciers can slide down slope for several reasons. First, a glacier is made of ice, which is frozen water. Liquid water is slippery. That is important to remember. Second, gravity is pulling on them making them want to move downhill. Third, when ice is put under a lot of pressure, it can melt. The pressure above the bottom of the glacier can cause some melting on the bottom layer. That can make the glacier slide. Fourth, the sun shining on the top of the glacier can make the top of the glacier melt. The water from that melting can go to the bottom of the glacier and help lubricate the bottom. That can help it slide. Mountain glaciers are always sliding downhill. Snow replenishes glaciers and adds ice to the top. If glaciers melt faster than they are replenished they vanish. Some mountain glaciers have vanished within the last 100 years. A few more are likely to vanish in the next decade.