rocks and weathering - slope processes

Mass movement

The downslope movement of rock and soil under the influence of gravity

Heave

Slow, gradual downslope movement of soil

Mudflows

Rapid flow of saturated fine grained material

Earth flows

Slower flow of saturated material

Slides

Downslope movement of a coherent mass of rock of soil along a failure surface

Slump

Coherent mass of soil or rock moves downslope along a curved, concave surface of rupture with the displaced material moving backwards and downwards as it moves

Rainsplash

The dislodging of soil particles by the impact of raindrops

Surface runoff

The flow of water over the land surface

Sheetwash

Uniform flow of water over a smooth surface cuasing erosion

Rills

Small channels formed by concentrated surface runoff which lead to further erosion

Example of slumping

Holbeck hall, UK

Example of mudflows

Venezuela

Example of rockfalls

The white cliffs of Dover

Example of soil creep

The Cotswolds

Example of Rock slide

Wyoming, USA