Weathering, Erosion, and Mass Wasting

Vocabulary flashcards to aid learning about the processes of weathering, erosion, and mass wasting, including definitions of essential terms.

Weathering

The process of converting rock into sediment and forming soils.

Erosion

The removal of sediments by natural processes such as wind and rivers.

Mass Wasting

The downslope movement of masses of Earth materials.

Rock Cycle

The continuous process of rocks changing from one type to another.

Chemical Weathering

Occurs when minerals react with air and water; it involves processes like hydrolysis.

Physical Weathering

The mechanical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition.

Soils

The residue of weathering, composed of minerals and organic matter.

Parent Rock

The original rock from which soil and sediments are derived.

Mineral Stability

The resistance of a mineral to weathering and dissolution.

Angle of Repose

The maximum angle at which loose material will remain stationary on a slope.

Hydrolysis

A chemical weathering process involving the reaction of minerals with water.

Carbonic Acid

An acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water, significant in weathering.

Iron Oxides

Minerals that form from the oxidation of iron; examples include hematite.

Sediments

Solid materials that have settled from water or air.

Leaching

The process by which soluble materials are washed out of the soil.

Translocation

The movement of materials within the soil system.

Transformations

Changes in the form or nature of soil components.

Mass Movement

Any process by which soil and rock move downslope due to gravity.

Debris Flow

A rapid flow of water-saturated sediments down a slope.

Mudflow

A type of debris flow that contains a high proportion of water.

Creep

A slow, gradual movement of soil and rock downhill.

Slumping

The movement of a mass of rock or soil down a slope along a curved surface.

Salt Weathering

A process caused by the crystallization of soluble salts in rocks.

Frost Wedging

The cracking of rock caused by the expansion of freezing water.

Exfoliation

The peeling off of rock layers due to temperature changes.

Organic Material

Plant and animal residues that contribute to soil formation.

Alfisols

Soils of humid areas that accumulate clay in their subsoil.

Entisols

Soils that lack significant horizon development; often found in recently formed landscapes.

Oxisols

Very old, highly leached soils commonly found in tropical regions.

Mollisols

Rich, dark soils found in grassland areas, particularly in temperate regions.

Aridisols

Soils formed in dry climates, often low in organic matter.

Inceptisols

Young soils with weakly developed horizons.

Permafrost

A thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year.

Debris Avalanche

A rapid mass wasting event involving unconsolidated materials sliding down steep slopes.

Soil Profile

The vertical section of soil layers from the surface to the underlying bedrock.

Mass Wasting Classification

Categorization of mass movements based on material nature, movement velocity, and movement character.

Earthflow

Slow, viscous movement of water-saturated soil downslope.

Rock Slide

A mass of rock that moves down a slope; can occur rapidly after rain.

Volcanic Soil

Soils derived from the weathering of volcanic ash, often rich in nutrients.

Slope Stability

The ability of a slope to resist failure and not collapse under gravitational forces.

Mass Wasting Factors

Key influences on mass movements, such as water content, slope steepness, and materials involved.