Mass Movements and Soil Types Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What type of soil movement is associated with wet soil moving over impermeable material?

  • Erosion
  • Solifluction (correct)
  • Soil creep
  • Landslide

What is the relation between the moisture content of the material and the rate of mass movement?

  • Wetter material slows down the movement
  • Dry material moves faster than wet material
  • Wetter material generally increases the speed of movement (correct)
  • Moisture content has no effect on mass movement

Which of the following best describes the term 'landslide'?

  • Slow movement of soil over time
  • Nonspecific rapid mass movements in rock or soil (correct)
  • A specific type of soil erosion
  • A controlled movement of earth material

What is a common consequence of soil creep?

<p>Disruption of roads and railway lines (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of material is primarily involved in mass movements according to the content?

<p>Unconsolidated and semi-consolidated material (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is closely related to mass movements but specifically involves icy materials?

<p>Permafrost movements (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes 'quick' or 'sensitive' clay in the context of mass movements?

<p>It can lead to rapid sliding when disturbed (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'mass movements' primarily refer to?

<p>The large-scale movement of earth materials (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the angle of repose affect sand dunes?

<p>It governs the slope stability by dictating when slumping occurs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of water saturation in clay soils?

<p>It increases the risk of mass movements due to added weight. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which clay type can expand significantly when wet, affecting slope stability?

<p>Montmorillonite (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does frost wedging play in mass movements?

<p>It acts as a wedge that can drive chunks of material apart. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant trigger for sudden landslides?

<p>Heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does frost heaving contribute to mass movements?

<p>It expands wet soil upon freezing, destabilizing slopes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of soil expansion and contraction during wet and dry cycles?

<p>Increased slope instability and potential failure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental factor can exacerbate bedrock sliding along bedding planes?

<p>Water seeping along bedding planes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are true quick clays most commonly found?

<p>Northern polar latitudes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of clay particles produced by glaciers?

<p>Less than 0.02 millimeter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mass movement specifically describes a free-falling action?

<p>Rockfall (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed characteristic of rockfalls?

<p>Rapid (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the movement of material during a rockslide?

<p>Cohesive sliding action (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes flows from slides in terms of speed?

<p>Flows can be rapid or variable in speed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of flow?

<p>Rockslide (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily contributes to the formation of rock flour in marine environments?

<p>Glacial grinding (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sediment containing true quick clays after being deposited?

<p>It can be uplifted by tectonic movements (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of mass movement is most likely to occur on steep slopes?

<p>Rockfall (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Angle of repose

The angle at which loose material, like sand on a dune, will naturally settle and remain stable.

Frost wedging

A process where water seeps into cracks in rocks and freezes, expanding and putting pressure on the rock, eventually breaking it apart.

Frost heaving

The upward movement of soil caused by the expansion of water as it freezes in the ground. This can disrupt the stability of a slope.

Downward pull

The downward pull of gravity on a mass of soil or rock. This force can contribute to landslides.

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Friction

The force that resists the movement of one object against another. In terms of slopes, it refers to the resistance between the slope and the material on it.

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Saturated soil

Water that saturates the ground, adding significant weight and increasing the force pulling the material downhill.

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Montmorillonite

A type of clay that can absorb a large amount of water, becoming very weak and susceptible to movement.

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Landslide

A sudden and rapid movement of soil or rock down a slope. This can be triggered by heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or other factors.

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Soil creep

A slow, downslope movement of soil or rock, often triggered by gravity and influenced by factors like water saturation.

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Solifluction

A type of soil creep that occurs in areas with permafrost, where saturated soil slowly flows over frozen ground.

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Quick clay

A type of clay that behaves like a liquid when disturbed, often leading to sudden and dramatic landslides.

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Landslide speed and moisture

The speed of a landslide is often related to the amount of water present. Wetter material often moves faster.

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Landslide speed and casualties

The faster a landslide moves, the higher the risk of casualties. This is due to the increased force and speed of the moving material.

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Materials involved in mass movement

A wide range of materials can be involved in mass movements, from fine soil to large rock fragments.

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Classifying Mass Movements

Mass movements are classified based on both the type of material moved and the specific movement pattern.

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Fall

A type of mass movement where material falls freely without continuous contact with the ground.

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Rockfall

A type of fall where rocks break loose and tumble down a slope.

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Slide

A type of mass movement where a block of material moves downhill along a defined plane or surface.

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Slump

A type of slide involving soil moving downhill along a curved surface.

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Flow

A type of mass movement where material moves downhill in a fluid-like manner.

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Snow Avalanche

A fast-moving flow of snow and ice often involving a large volume of material.

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Debris Avalanche

A fast-moving flow of debris, often triggered by volcanic eruptions.

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Nuée Ardente

A very hot, rapid flow of volcanic gases, ash, and debris.

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Mudflow

A fast-moving flow of water, mud, and debris, often triggered by heavy rain or volcanic activity.

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Study Notes

Mass Movements

  • Mass movements, or mass wasting, are the various processes by which Earth materials are moved downslope.
  • Gravity is the driving force behind these movements.
  • These movements can be slow and subtle or sudden and devastating.
  • Landslides (rapid) mass movements cause significant property damage and loss of life.
  • Human activities can sometimes aggravate landslide risks.
  • Landslides can happen in many areas, not just mountainous regions.

Factors Influencing Slope Stability

  • Mass movements occur when the force of gravity overcomes the forces resisting it.
  • Shearing stress is the pull of gravity.
  • Friction or shear strength resists the movement.
  • Slope angle is a major factor. Steeper slopes have higher shearing stress.
  • Material properties (e.g., cohesion and friction) affect the ability of the material to resist sliding.
  • Moisture content plays a significant role.
  • Increased moisture can reduce friction and increase the likelihood of failure.
  • Adding water to dry soil can increase adhesion and strength for a short time, in other cases reduce strength and increase vulnerability.
  • Vegetation stabilizes slopes by binding the soil and absorbing moisture.
  • Removal of vegetation can increase the risk of landslides.
  • Tectonic movements can alter slope angles, potentially increasing landslide risk.

Effects of Fluids

  • Moisture plays a dual role; it can increase or decrease stability.
  • Small amounts of moisture increase adhesion in unconsolidated materials increasing their shear strength.
  • Saturation reduces friction, lowering shear strength and increasing risk.
  • Changes in pore-water pressure from rainfall or snowmelt can trigger slides.

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Related Documents

Environmental Geology, 9th Edition (2010) - Mass Movements

Description

Test your knowledge on soil movement, mass movements, and the properties of different soil types in this quiz. Explore concepts related to landslides, soil saturation, and the impact of moisture content on mass movements. Perfect for students studying geology and environmental science.

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