Chapter 13, Problem 1RQ

To determine

The factors that are used to distinguish different types of mass movements.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

The major four factors that are used to distinguish different types of mass movements or landslides are the type of material that is involved, the velocity of movement, the character of the moving mass and the environment in which the movement takes place.

Explanation of Solution

“The down slope transport of rock, regolith (soil, and loose sediment or debris), snow, and ice as mass movement, or mass wasting.”

The mass wasting is generally called as the landslide. Mass movements are also one of the types of natural hazard like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms, and floods. It may cause damage to the environment and society. Human population and expanding cities into unsafe grounds, made mass movements more dangerous. This plays a major role as a transporting agent and hence helps in the rock cycle. It is one of the most rapid processes that can change the shape of a hill or mountain.