Although many types of mass movements are included in the general term landslide, the more restrictive use of the term refers only to mass movements, where there is a distinct zone of weakness that. Types of mass wasting a rock fall are the fastest of all landslide types and occurs when a rock falls through the air until it comes to rest on the groundnot too complicated. Three major types of mass wasting are classified by the type of downslope movement. That includes all earth materials, rock and regolith. The three criteria used to describe slope failures are. Research geological sciences department california. Gravity pulls rocks, soils and debris on a downward slope naturally without any chemical change. Types of mass movement are distinguished based on how the soil, regolith or rock moves down slope as a whole. Definition the bulk movement of weathered and broken rock. Name and describe two examples of a local indirect effect of the oso masswasting eventnear to the town of oso. Slow invisible movement of soil downhill mass wasting is the movement of sediment or soil downhill by.
Matthew becker, conrey endowed chair, hydrogeology. The composition and texture of debris, the amount of air and water mixed with it. A slope failure can occur due to overaccumulation of sediment on slope or in a submarine canyon, or could occur as a result of a shock like an earthquake. Erosion is the removal of sediments by natural processes e. Mass wasting or mass movement is the movement of a large mass of rock, soil and debris downward due to the pull of gravity. Learn about the process of mass wasting, the factors that must be. California state university, long beach 1250 bellflower boulevard, long beach, california 90840. Creeps landslides flows topples slump home types of mass movement 5. Erosion, transportation, and deposition while landslides are a normal part of erosion and surface processes, they can be very destructive to life and property. In utah, they are common in the spring and fall because of freezethaw weathering. Masswasting processes occur prior to both weathering and stream action, to produce the topography we see today. Mass wasting and slope processes mass wasting is a broad science theme dealing with the downhill movement of rocks and debris. The research areas of our faculty members, as well as their current and recent research projects, are listed below. Mass wasting represents the downslope movement of material under the influence of gravity.
The most common types of landslides are described as follows and are illustrated in figure 3. Different types of mass wasting or mass movement can be identified. Pdf overview of the effects of mass wasting on the natural. Processes and forms of mass wasting mass wasting processes can occur through four actions 1. Flow caused by weak internal cohesion as well as exceeding the threshold angle of repose 4. Mass wasting is a unique geomorphological process destabilizing the surface rocks and soil mass. Flows usually contain debris like sediments, ash, soils and vegetation. It could be rapid snowmelt, intense rainfall, earthquake shaking, volcanic eruption, storm waves, rapidstream erosion, or human activities, such as grading a new road. Mass wasting is the downslope movement of masses of earth materials. Subaqueous mass movements mass wasting processes also occur on steep slopes in the ocean basins.
An example of a flow would be the massive mud, ash, debris and even houses that flowed down the valleys and streams after mt. Masswasting is a unique geomorphological process destabilizing the surface rocks and soil mass. Mass wasting in the grand canyon launch the smartfigure video when you have finished, answer the questions. Nature of material velocity of movement nature of movement 4 factors influencing mass movement nature. Mass wasting types of mass wasting processes defined by the material involved the movement of the material types of mass wasting processes defined by the material involved debris mud earth rock. Slump short fast movement of soil on a steep slope creep.
Mass wasting mass movement is the downslope transfer of rock and debris by gravity. If streams alone were responsible for creating the valleys in which they flow, the valleys would be very narrow features. In this unit, students will use highresolution elevation data lidar and maybe sfm sourced and satellite. Mass wasting process by which material moves downslope under the force of gravity 3 mass movement is classified on the basis of. The analysis of mass wasting events from remotely sensed data is a complicated task, burdened by the range of geomorphic signatures associated with different types of events and the resolution of digital imagery and remotely sensed data. The type of material that failed typically either bedrock or unconsolidated sediment. Types of mass wasting processes defined by the movement of the material the character of the movement fall slide flow types of mass wasting processes defined by the movement of the material the rate of the movement fast slow forms of mass wasting slump rockslide debris flow earth flow creep solifluction. Swelling caused by expansion of clay or through frost action types of mass wasting. Mass movements affect the following elements of the environment. Pdf overview of the effects of mass wasting on the. The definition excludes material transported downslope by streams, winds, or glaciers. Mass wasting, sometimes called mass movement, is the downward movement by gravity of rock, regolith loose, weathered rock andor soil on the sloped top layers of the earths surface. As terrain becomes more mountainous, the hazard increases in developed nations impacts of mass wasting or landslides can. As terrain becomes more mountainous, the hazard increases in developed nations impacts of masswasting or landslides can result in millions of dollars of damage with some deaths in less developed nations damage is more extensive because of population density, lack of stringent zoning laws.
Download fulltext pdf overview of the effects of mass wasting on the natural environment article pdf available in environmental and engineering geoscience 1. Mass wasting is the down slope movement of rock debris under the pull of gravity without a transporting medium. These flows typically occur in humid areas on steep slopes with thick. Mass wasting, also known as slope movement or mass movement, is the geomorphic process by which soil, sand, regolith, and rock move downslope typically as a solid, continuous or discontinuous mass, largely under the force of gravity, frequently with characteristics of a flow as in debris flows and mudflows. In the daytime, temperatures in the spring and fall tend to be above freezing, which. The general term landslide is used to describe all rapid forms of mass wasting. Research geological sciences department california state. The types of movement, falls, slides, and flows, will be covered in this module.
It is an important slope process and is responsible for transporting large quantities of sediment into streams. Mass wasting occurs both on land and beneath the sea. The colorado river erodes downward, then masswasting processes move material from high to low areas, then the colorado river transports material downstream. Apr 01, 2019 mass wasting mass movement class lesson downloads. Nature of material velocity of movement nature of movement 4 factors influencing mass movement nature of slope materials steepness of slope water content. Effects of mass wasting the combined effects of mass wasting and running water produce stream valleys, which are the most common and conspicuous of earths landforms.
Here is the plate tectonics and earthquakes playlist broken into sections each section has its own due date. Mass wasting is the dominant process in the formation of the grand canyon. A rock slide occurs when there is a rapid sliding of a mass of bed rock along a slanted surface which is weak or faulty. A rock fall are the fastest of all landslide types and occurs when a rock falls through the air until it comes to rest on the groundnot too complicated. Internal cohesion strength the characteristic property of a. Slow invisible movement of soil downhill mass wasting is the movement of sediment or soil downhill by gravity. Varieties of these are called earthflows, mudflows, and debris avalanches. Slope failure, also referred to as mass wasting, is the downslope movement of rock debris and soil in response to gravitational stresses.
Students will be asked to answer the following questions. Mass movements mass movements also called masswasting is the downslope movement of regolith loose uncemented mixture of soil and rock particles that covers the earths surface by the force of gravity without the aid of a transporting medium such as water, ice, or wind. Besides the mass of material that buried the town, the oso masswasting event left a mark on the geographic and societal landscape both locally and regionally. Introduction mass wasting the downslope movement of. World dangerous trees felling climbing technique with chainsaw machines. Shear strength is proportional to how solid the mass is, the density of plant roots, the amount of water present, and the roughness of the particles in the mass. Gravity the force of gravity provides the energy that causes. Types of mass wasting processes defined by the movement of the material the character of the movement fall slide flow. Types of mass wasting include creep, slides, flows, topples, and. Removal of vegetation can lead to mass wasting 6 earthquakes and volcanoes. The landslide hazard causes severe loss of life, injury, damage to property, destruction of communication networks and loss of precious soil and land. Overview of the effects of mass wasting on the natural.
Graphic organizers earth science 2010erosion 4 types of mass movement. Increased water content within the slope is the most common masswasting. Flows are very liquid like and descend down slopes at a fast rate of speed. The shear strength is an objects resistance to movement that needs to be overcome in order to make it move. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This is one of the central concepts of this course.
In addition its annually responsible for causing millions of dollars worth of damage. Jan 08, 2017 effects of mass wasting the combined effects of mass wasting and running water produce stream valleys, which are the most common and conspicuous of earths landforms. A rock slide occurs when there is a rapid sliding of a mass of bed rock along a slanted surface which is weak. Sep 12, 2019 see also see more ideas about geology, natural disasters and department of. Most river valleys are much wider than they are deep. Most rapid mass movements are triggered by strong vibrations from earthquakes andor excessive amounts of water eq trigger mass wasting by shaking the slope volcanic activity may melt snow and ice or blow the sides of mountains off. Types of mass wasting processes defined by the movement of the material the rate of the movement fast slow. Apr 10, 2019 mass wasting, sometimes called mass movement, is the downward movement by gravity of rock, regolith loose, weathered rock andor soil on the sloped top layers of the earths surface. A slide can be defined as a descending rock mass remaining more or less solid and moving along a definite surface. The national map of mass wasting activity shows areas with greatest potential for. Many different types of mass movement fall into the general category of mass wasting, from large landslides and debris avalanches to rockfalls, debris flows and soil creep. Gravity the force of gravity provides the energy that causes material to move downhill.
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