1. Chapter 13 Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
Geosystems 6e
An Introduction to Physical Geography
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen

2. Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
Landmass Denudation
Geomorphology – the science of landforms
Denudation – a process that erodes or rearranges landforms  
Weathering Processes  
Karst Topography and Landscapes
Limestone  
Mass Movement Processes  

3. Landmass Denudation Geomorphic Models of Landform Development
Also called Erosion Cycle
Start with uplifted surface
Water erosion cuts into the surface and transports materials elsewhere
Ridges and valleys are formed
Surface eventually becomes rounded 
Dynamic Equilibrium View of Landforms 
Emphasizes the balance among force, form, and process
Every landscape is unique 

4. Dynamic Equilibrium

5. Slope Mechanics and Form
Figure 13.3

6. Slope Mechanics and Form
Figure 13.3

7. Weathering Processes Physical Weathering Processes
Either disintegrate rock into mineral particles or dissolve them in water
Physical Weathering Processes
When rock is broken and disintegrated without any chemical alteration  
Chemical Weathering Processes  
The actual decomposition or chemical change of mineral in rock

8. Regolith, Soil, and Parent Materials
Figure 13.5

9. Joint-block Separation
Figure 13.8

10. Talus Slope
Figure 13.8

11. Exfoliation in Granite
Figure

12. Exfoliation in Granite
Figure

13. Chemical Weathering
Figure 13.12

14. Spheroidal Weathering
Figure 13.12

15. Karst Topography and Landscapes
Karst  - landscape of limestone with poor drainage that appears pitted and bumpy
Sinkholes  
Caves and Caverns  

16. Karst and Limestone Regions
Figure

17. Sinkholes
Figure
Figure

18. Tower Karst
Figure

19. Cavern Features
Figure

20. Mass Movement Processes
Mass Movement – any unit movement of a body of material, propelled and controlled by gravity  
Classes of Mass Movements  
Fall, slide, flow, or creep
Human-Induced Mass Movements (Scarification)
Mines, roads, development, mountain-top removal

21. Madison River Landslide
Figure

22. Mass Movement Classes
Figure

23. Rockfall
Figure 13.9

24. Debris Avalanche
Figure 13.25

25. Soil Creep
Figure

26. Scarification
Figure 13.28

27. Geosystems 6e An Introduction to Physical Geography
End of Chapter 13
Geosystems 6e
An Introduction to Physical Geography
Robert W. Christopherson
Charles E. Thomsen