Erosion and Mass Movements

Erosion Erosion causes the wearing away and lowering of Earth’s land and surface features as it transports material away The sun fuels the water cycle and the forces of erosion

Mass Movements Triggers of Mass Movements Mass Movement: The transfer of rock and soil downslope due to gravity Factors that trigger mass movements: Water-saturated Surface Over-steepening of Slopes Lack of Vegetation Earthquakes .

Types of Mass Movements  Mass movements are classified on the kind of material that moves, how it moves, and the speed of movement.  Rockfalls/Debris Fall: When rocks or rock fragments fall freely through the air.

Types of Mass Movements Debris Flow: In a debris flow, a block of material moves suddenly along a flat, inclined surface • Speed: 1 mm/ day to 1 km/hr

Heavy Rains Can Trigger Slumps

Mass Movements Flows include: Avalanches Mudflows Landslides Types of Mass Movements Mass Movements Flows include: Avalanches Mudflows Landslides •Mudflows

Mass Movements Types of Mass Movements Creep: the slow, downhill movement of soil Soil Creep moves more material per year than any other mass movement- even though it is slow, it is constantly happening *Creep can cause: Cracked roads, leaning utility poles, and bent trees