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Mass wastage. Part One. What exactly do we mean when we say “ mass wastage ”?. Mass wastage = Mass wasting = Mass movement It is the down slope movement of weathered materials (rock , regolith, and soil) under the direct influence of gravity
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Mass wastage Part One
What exactly do we mean when we say “mass wastage”? • Mass wastage = Mass wasting = Mass movement • It is the down slope movement of weathered materials (rock, regolith, and soil) under the direct influence of gravity • It can be slow, or rapid, suddenand catastrophic
Gravity • The effectiveness of gravity is determined by the steepness of the slope and thickness of loose materials • In other words, steeper landscape = greater force to move objects downslope • Greater the thickness of moving mass = greater speed
Causes of mass wasting1) Natural: Expansion of soil • Expanding and contracting of soil • Water gets into soil soil gets heavier expansion makes soil move slightly instability!
Causes of mass wasting2) Logging practices • Clear-cuttingtrees (most or all trees in an area are uniformly cut down) leaves a slope with little vegetation stability • Logging roads cut deeply into mountain sides
Causes of mass wasting3) Urbanization • Removed vegetation and alterednatural drainage patterns creates flash floods
Methods of stabilizing slopes1) Vegetation • Plant roots can help to anchor the soil • Leaves and roots can help protect the soil from being washed away by heavy rains
Methods of stabilizing slopes… on Highways! • Bolts (See textbook diagram on page 37)
Concrete spray People working on the Sea to Sky construction project
Drainage pipes and Retaining walls • (See textbook diagram on page 37)
Snowsheds • (See textbook diagram on page 37)
Types of Mass Wasting:1) Scree/ talus • On very steep slopes, soils do not have the chance to form and blocks of rock become loosened • Frost shatter causes the regolith to loosen and tumble down • Blocks are mostly large and sharp-edged and so do not travel far • They build a pile of loose rocks at the bottom calledscreeor talus
Types of Mass Wasting:2) Soil Creep • Slow, almost imperceptible downhill motion of soil particles • Common in humid areas • Helped by soil expansion and contracting • Most common
Types of Mass Wasting:3) Landslide • Rapid movement of soil down slope • Rock is weathered into soil • Heavy rainfall often triggers it • Freeze-thaw action
Types of Mass Wasting:4) Mudflow • Soil absorbs so much water that it literally flows downhill • Everything in it mixes thoroughly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mKC3eID074&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrYqJlCuppA&feature=related
Types of Mass Wasting:5) Slump • A slab of land breaks away and slips a short distance • See page 38 for a lovely diagram!
Types of Mass Wasting:6) Avalanche • A mass of snow and ice that breaks away and slides down a slope • Heavy accumulation of snow • Air temperatures make them unstable • Can be very dangerous
Types of Mass Wasting:7) Soil Solution • Soil materials transported by water • Very small particles in seeming less transparent water