Mass Movement and Weathering Processes

Question 1

Boring Molluscs

Answer 1

Molluscs live in aquatic or damp habitats and are able to burrow into the rock, which causes it to erode.

Question 2

Frost Shattering

Answer 2

Also known as Freeze-Thaw. Occurs in cold climates when temperatures are often around freezing point and where exposed rocks contain many cracks. Water enters the cracks during the warmer day and freezes during the colder night.

Question 3

Oxidation

Answer 3

Chemical weathering involves the alteration of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the weathered material.

Question 4

Sub-aerial Processes

Answer 4

The processes of weathering and mass movement. Weathering is the breaking down of rock in situ. It can be divided into mechanical and chemical weathering.

Question 5

Weathering

Answer 5

Weathering is the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on Earths surface. Water, ice, acids, salt, plants, animals, and changes in temperature are all agents of weathering. Once the rock has been broken down, a process called erosion transports the bits of rock and minerals away.

Question 6

Mass Movement

Answer 6

The movement of surface material caused by gravity. Geological agents such as water, wind and ice all work with gravity to cause a levelling of land.

Question 7

Mudflow

Answer 7

A flowing mass of soft, wet, unconsolidated earth and fine-grained debris. It is often made into a liquid substance through rainfall or melted snow and often build up great speed.

Question 8

Landslide

Answer 8

The movement of rock, earth, or debris down a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused by rain, earthquakes, volcanoes, or other factors that make the slope unstable.

Question 9

Rockfall

Answer 9

Water enters the joint, freezes and expands, cracking the rock. A scree slope of fallen rock is formed at the bottom of the cliff.

Question 10

Rotational Slumping

Answer 10

Rotational slumps occur when a slump block, composed of sediment or rock, slides along a concave-upward slip surface with rotation about an axis parallel to the slope.

Question 11

Scree (Talus)

Answer 11

A mass of small loose stones that form or cover a slope on a mountain.

Question 12

High Energy Coastline

Answer 12

Waves are high for a significant part of the year, the rate of erosion exceeds the rate of deposition and landforms include headlands and cliffs.

Question 13

Storm Surges

Answer 13

A rising of the sea as a result of wind and atmospheric pressure changes associated with a storm.