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Questions and Answers
Which type of mass movement involves slipping of one or several units of rock debris with backward rotation?
Which type of mass movement involves slipping of one or several units of rock debris with backward rotation?
- Debris slide
- Rockslide
- Slump (correct)
- Landslide
What factor does NOT aid in increasing the likelihood of mass movements?
What factor does NOT aid in increasing the likelihood of mass movements?
- Scarcity of vegetation
- Abundant precipitation
- Weak unconsolidated materials
- Weathering of materials (correct)
Which of the following statements is true about debris fall?
Which of the following statements is true about debris fall?
- It involves backward rotation of materials.
- It is a free fall from a vertical or overhanging face. (correct)
- It occurs only in weathered materials.
- It is a gradual movement of materials.
What role does gravity play in mass movements?
What role does gravity play in mass movements?
Which condition is least likely to favor mass movements?
Which condition is least likely to favor mass movements?
What term describes the sliding of individual rock masses down bedding, joint, or fault surfaces?
What term describes the sliding of individual rock masses down bedding, joint, or fault surfaces?
Which of the following is NOT an activating cause of mass movements?
Which of the following is NOT an activating cause of mass movements?
What primarily determines the resistance of materials to mass movement?
What primarily determines the resistance of materials to mass movement?
What is one significant result of exfoliation in weathering processes?
What is one significant result of exfoliation in weathering processes?
How do plant roots contribute to weathering?
How do plant roots contribute to weathering?
What is the primary role of weathering in the geological process?
What is the primary role of weathering in the geological process?
What do leaching processes primarily remove during weathering?
What do leaching processes primarily remove during weathering?
What are exfoliation domes primarily formed from?
What are exfoliation domes primarily formed from?
Which of the following activities does NOT contribute to the weathering process?
Which of the following activities does NOT contribute to the weathering process?
What does the term 'denudation' primarily refer to?
What does the term 'denudation' primarily refer to?
What is the main driving force behind mass movements?
What is the main driving force behind mass movements?
What is one potential outcome if weathering does not occur?
What is one potential outcome if weathering does not occur?
Which climatic factors are most influential in exogenic geomorphic processes?
Which climatic factors are most influential in exogenic geomorphic processes?
How does the structure of rocks influence geomorphic processes?
How does the structure of rocks influence geomorphic processes?
Which of the following processes are included in denudation?
Which of the following processes are included in denudation?
What determines the differential rates of action of denudation processes on different rocks?
What determines the differential rates of action of denudation processes on different rocks?
What is meant by the 'imperceptibility' of exogenic geomorphic processes in a short time span?
What is meant by the 'imperceptibility' of exogenic geomorphic processes in a short time span?
What role does fatigue play in the geologic processes described in the content?
What role does fatigue play in the geologic processes described in the content?
What causes differences in topography according to the content?
What causes differences in topography according to the content?
What is a primary cause of landslides over steep slopes?
What is a primary cause of landslides over steep slopes?
Which movement type is specifically characterized by free falling of rock blocks?
Which movement type is specifically characterized by free falling of rock blocks?
What distinguishes a rockslide from a rock fall?
What distinguishes a rockslide from a rock fall?
Which factor is least likely to contribute to slope failure?
Which factor is least likely to contribute to slope failure?
What is the primary function of weathering in relation to erosion?
What is the primary function of weathering in relation to erosion?
Which of the following describes excessive natural seepage?
Which of the following describes excessive natural seepage?
Which process continuously changes the Earth's surface?
Which process continuously changes the Earth's surface?
What role does rock debris play in geomorphic processes?
What role does rock debris play in geomorphic processes?
What causes deposition to occur?
What causes deposition to occur?
Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing soil formation?
Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing soil formation?
What materials are deposited first during the process of deposition?
What materials are deposited first during the process of deposition?
Which agents act as both erosional and depositional agents?
Which agents act as both erosional and depositional agents?
What is an example of mass movement in relation to soil and erosion?
What is an example of mass movement in relation to soil and erosion?
How do soil-forming factors interact with each other?
How do soil-forming factors interact with each other?
Which soil-forming factor primarily refers to the geographical features of an area?
Which soil-forming factor primarily refers to the geographical features of an area?
Can erosion occur without weathering processes taking place?
Can erosion occur without weathering processes taking place?
Study Notes
Exogenic Geomorphic Processes
- Processes that shape the Earth's surface from external forces like weather and climate
- Covered under the term "denudation" which means stripping off or uncovering
- Include: weathering, mass wasting/movements, erosion and transportation
Denudation Processes
- Controlled by climatic factors like temperature and precipitation
- Intensity also depends on the type and structure of rocks, including rock type, folds, faults, and mineral composition
- Exogenic processes operate at different rates depending on rock type and climate, leading to variations in topography
- The effects of denudation are slow and imperceptible in the short term, but significant in the long run
Climate and Weathering
- Different climatic regimes have varying depths of weathering mantles as shown in Figure 5.2
- Humic, carbonic, and other acids formed by decaying plant and animal matter enhance rock decay and solubility
- Plant roots exert pressure on earth materials, aiding in mechanical breakdown
Weathering and Valuable Ores
- Weathering helps in the enrichment and concentration of valuable ores like iron, manganese, aluminium, and copper
- The removal of materials through leaching concentrates remaining valuable materials, making them economically viable to mine
Mass Movements
- The transfer of rock debris down slopes under the influence of gravity
- Movements can be slow or rapid, affecting shallow or deep columns of materials
- Include: creep, flow, slide, and fall
- Favored by weak unconsolidated materials, thinly bedded rocks, steep slopes, abundant precipitation, and lack of vegetation
Types of Mass Movements
- Slump: slipping of rock debris with backward rotation on the slope
- Debris slide: rapid rolling or sliding of earth debris without backward rotation
- Debris fall: free fall of earth debris from a vertical or overhanging face
- Rockslide: sliding of individual rock masses down bedding planes, joint or fault surfaces
Causes of Mass Movements
- Removal of support from below
- Increased gradient and height of slopes
- Overloading through addition of materials
- Saturation of slope materials due to heavy rainfall
- Removal of material from the slope surface
- Earthquakes, explosions, or machinery
- Excessive natural seepage
- Heavy drawdown of water from lakes, reservoirs, and rivers
- Indiscriminate removal of natural vegetation
Erosion and Deposition
- The acquisition and transportation of rock debris by agents like running water, glaciers, wind, and waves
- Erosion leads to a degradation of relief, wearing down the landscape
- Deposition occurs when erosional agents lose velocity and energy on gentler slopes, resulting in the settling of transported materials
Soil Formation
- Five factors control soil formation: parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and time
- These factors act in unison and influence each other
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Description
Explore the key concepts of exogenic geomorphic processes including weathering, erosion, and denudation. This quiz focuses on the external forces shaping the Earth's surface, influenced by climatic factors. Understand the long-term impacts on topography and the effects of different rock types.
