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Slope Evolution
Slope Evolution
Slopes basically acquire rectilinear, concave or convex shapes as an outcome of varying interaction of exogenetic and endogenetic factors on the Earths surface CONCAVE RECTILINEAR CONVEX
= GRADIENT FOOT The complex process of interaction of the aforesaid factors upon the earths surface leads to development of depicted slopes. This process of formation of depicted slopes and their subsequent transformation from steeper to gentle is called Slope genesis. This complex phenomenon could be explained through 3 simplified theories of Slope
EXOGENETIC FACTORS
PROCESSES/CLIMATE
VEGETATION
EARTH SURFACE
ASPECT
ENDOGENETIC FACTORS
TECTONIC MOVEMENTS
evolution (i) Slope Decline (ii) Parallel Retreat and (iii) Slope Replacement, deliberated as hereunder Slope decline theory of W.M Davis deals with the cutting down of a slope by denudation in which the steepest part of the slope progressively decreases in gradient, accompanied by the development of an upper convexity and lower concavity. The theory was originated with the cycle of erosion of W.M Davis. Slope decline theory explains the evolution of the slope and subsequent transformation from steeper slope to gentle one. In accordance to the cycle of erosion Slope evolution/ Slope development occurs through 4 phases such as (i) Rejuvenation (ii) Young (iii) Mature and (iv) Old. Stepwise explanation is as follows
Development of cracks STEP-I: Action of Endogenetic forces on Earths Surface Endogenetic Forces
Endogenetic Forces
Slip face STEP-III: Endogenetic forces ceases. Youth stage starts as denudation commences with the action of exogenetic forces. Development of slip face
Zone of deposition
STEP-IV: Massive down cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to development of depicted slope profiles (convex, concave & rectilinear)
STEP-V: Development of slip face along the same toe and further denudation by agents of erosion (Down cutting)
STEP-VII: Start of Mature Stage. Denudation by down-cutting changes the slope gradient from steep to moderate. Denudation continues
STEP-IX: Denudation continues. Slope gradient changes from gentle to rolling. An undulating surface of low relief (Peneplain), interspersed with occasional residual hills (Monadnocks) is formed
Angle of rotation
Point of rotation
Peneplain
Monadnocks Slope decline theory, also called the slope rotation theory as there occur rotation of the slope along the toe of slip face.
Parallel retreat theory of L.C King deals with the cutting back of a slope by denudation without a change in the gradient. Each section of the slope retreats under the forces of weathering and erosion to a new slope that is parallel to that of original surface. The theory was propounded with the Savanna cycle of erosion. The phases are similar to that of normal cycle of erosion of W.M Davis.
STEP-III: Endogenetic forces ceases. Youth stage starts as denudation commences with the action of exogenetic forces. Development of slip face parallel to the slope surface
STEP-IV: Massive back cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to development of slope profile parallel to the original slope
STEP-V: Washing of deposited material at the foothill. Development of slip face parallel to the surface
STEP-VI: Massive back cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill
STEP-VII: Washing of deposited material at the foothill. Pediplain, surface of low relief broken by occasional residual hills (Inselberg) formed.
Pediment
Pediment
Slope replacement theory of Penck deals with the cutting back of steeper slope and down cutting of gentler slope. The steeper slope gets replaced by the gentler slope from below. The theory was originated with the cycle of erosion of Penck. Slope replacement theory explains the evolution of the slope and subsequent transformation from steeper slope to gentle one.
STEP-III: Massive back cutting on the steeper slope occurs along the slip face
STEP-I: Eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to replacement of earlier steeper slope (at A) by the gentler slope thus formed by the deposited material at the foothill
Point of rotation
STEP-I: Fresh deposition of eroded material at the foothill leads to further replacement of steeper slope (at B) by gentle one from below
STEP-I: Further influence of exogenetic forces leads to the formation of endrumpf like pediplain with residual hills called Inselberg
Endrumf Inselberg Slope replacement is a combine effect of parallel retreat on the uphill slope and slope decline on the down hill side