mass movements

• mass movement is the movement of rocks or loose materials down slopes due to gravity overcoming he forces holding them in place
• types of mass movement:

  • rockfalls
  • slumps
  • slides
• rockfall:

  • material breaks apart due to erosion + weathering , rolls down a slope
  • fallen fragments at base of cliff create talus scree slopes(accumulation of broken rocks)
• slumps:

  • materials moves down slope with rotation
  • happen slower than rockfall , happen when unstable permable rock overlays more stable impermeable rock
  • rotational movement of cliff = combo of heavy rainfall and erosional processes
• slides are when material moves down slope in straight line