Erosion by Mass Movement Columbia Pkwy, Cincinnati

Erosion : the process by which natural forces move weathered rock and soil from one place to another. Gravity, running water, glaciers, waves, and wind can all cause erosion. Deposition: occurs where agents of erosion lay down their sediments. Weathering, erosion, and deposition act together in a cycle that wear down and builds up Earth’s surface.

Mass Movement DEFINITION: Mass movement is the down-slope movement of rock and sediment due to gravitational forces. TYPES: Landslide (rapid) Mudslide (rapid) Slump (moderate) Creep (slow)

Landslide A landslide is a mass of rock moving down a slope

The top picture shows a part of the Smokey Mountains in 1976 The top picture shows a part of the Smokey Mountains in 1976. The bottom picture shows the same area in 1980.

Mudslide A mudslide (or mudflow) is the downslope movement of a mixture of water and soil.

Slump Slump is the downward movement of materials as one unit. The material moves along a curved plane, it often looks like the front of a spoon.

Creep Creep is the slow downhill movement of rock and soil over time.

Causes of Mass Movement Factors that allow gravity to overcome the resistance of materials on a slope are: Saturation of water (ground becomes too wet). Steepening of slopes by other forms of erosion or construction. Seismic or volcanic activity. Freezing and thawing. Fires leaving slopes bare. No ground vegetation.

IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF MASS MOVEMENT: