Mass Wasting

Mass Wasting is the general term for the movement of rock and soil down a slope under the influence of gravity.

Vegetation cover can help to stabilize slopes and reduce the risk of mass wasting, while gravity, slope angle, and climate are all contributing factors.

A landslide is a type of mass wasting that involves the rapid movement of a large mass of rock and soil down a slope.

Creep is the slow, gradual movement of soil and rock down a slope.

Rockfall is the sudden collapse of a large mass of rock and soil.

Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are transported down a slope by the action of water.

Subsidence is not a type of mass wasting, but rather a process by which the ground sinks.

Weathering is the process by which rock and soil are broken down into smaller pieces by the action of physical and chemical weathering.

Human activity can contribute to the occurrence of mass wasting, while gravity, slope angle, and vegetation cover are all natural factors that can contribute to mass wasting.

Sedimentation is the process by which sediment is deposited at the base of a slope.

Rockfall is the sudden collapse of a large mass of rock and soil, while creep, slump, and landslide all involve the movement of soil and rock.

Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are transported down a slope by the action of wind.

Creep is the slow, gradual movement of soil and rock down a slope, while slump, landslide, and rockfall all involve the rapid movement of soil and rock.

Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are transported down a slope by the action of ice.

Climate can contribute to the occurrence of mass wasting, while gravity, slope angle, and vegetation cover are all natural factors that can contribute to mass wasting.