302-Lecture 5

General Outline

Mass Movement, Landforms, and Slope Processes

I. Definitions: Mass movement (wasting) as a local process

A. classification and characteristics

B. examples

II. Processes and forms of mass movement

A. slide (rock, earth, snow)

B. flow (quick clay)

C. creep (soil, talus); freeze-thaw and wetting-drying

D. rotational slumps

III. Triggering mechanisms

A. rockfall

B. volcanic and seismic activity

C. heavy rains or snow; soil saturation

D. factors contributing to regolith creep

IV. Slope mechanics

A. Forces and stresses

B. Examples

C. Lab Exercise 2

V. Slope evolution

A. slope decline in humid regions

B. parallel retreat in arid regions

C. impact of weathering processes, vegetation, lithology