MASS MOVEMENTS

• Mass movement is the down slope movement of earth materials under the influence of
gravity.
• The detachment and movement of earth materials occurs if the stress imposed is
greater than the strength of the material to hold it in place.

Causes of mass movements

• Mass wasting is caused by gravity. On a mass of material gravity exerts a force
downward proportional to the amount of mass.
• Because of the effect of water on slope stability, many mass wasting events are
triggered or hastened by heavy or extended rainfall.
 Kinds of Mass Movements
1. Soil Creep
• Creep is the slow, continuous movement of soil or unconsolidated sediments over
extended periods of time.
• Often, the rate of creep is less than a centimeter per year and can only be detected
over many years by looking for its effect on the landscape

Causes of Soil Creep:

• Creep is caused by repeated freeze-thaw cycles that slowly inch material downslope
(during freezing, particles are elevated perpendicular to the slope, but during thaws
they fall straight down to a new position lower on the slope).
• Creep can also be caused by a buildup of pore water that allows material to begin to
flow under the influence of gravity.
Effects of Soil Creep:
• Creep causes fence posts, utility poles, walls, and other structures to lean over time.
Eventually the lean topples the structures and they must be rebuilt.
• In some cases, creep can be slowed or prevented by installing drainage pipes in soils
that drain them and keep pore pressures low.

2. Solifluction
• It is the down slope movement of soil over a permanently frozen subsurface.
• Solifluction is common on slopes underlain by permafrost (permanently frozen sub –
soil).
• During the summer when the upper permafrost is activated, the waterlogged soil mass
slowly moves down slope to form solifluction lobes or terraces.
3. Landslides
• A landslide is a movement of rock or debris down a slope along one or more distinct
surfaces.
• Landslides range in speed from 1 m/day to as much as 300 km/hr.
4. Rockfalls
• Rockfall (free fall of rock) is an extremely rapid process and occurs without warning.
• Rockfall is typically the result of frost wedging.
• Frost wedging is a process where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and
breaks the rock apart.
5. Mudflows
• Occur on moderate-to-steep slopes
• Movement is generally rapid
• Primarily fine-grained material (smaller than sand-sized particles)
• May begin as shallow soil slip (shallow slides in soil over rock that parallels the slope)
• Typically flows down slopes or follows drainage channels.
6. Slumps
• The sliding of material along a curved surface called a rotational slide or slump.
• A common cause of slumping is erosion at the base of a slope. For example, coastal
storm waves erode cliff bases, removing supporting material.
• The slump block rotates downward, producing a scarp (cliff) at the top of the slope.
 Impact of Mass Movement on People and the Environment:
• Transport systems like roads and railways are destroyed.
• Homes and businesses are destroyed leaving people homeless and without incomes.
• People can be killed or injured.
• Expensive rescue missions must be undertaken to rescue people.
• Crops and livestock are destroyed, resulting in food shortages and loss of income.
• Water supplies are disrupted when dams, rivers and pipelines are damaged.
• Artificial dams caused by landslides might break and threaten lives.
• Tourism can be interrupted causing job losses and loss of income.
• Mining operations can be disrupted costing economies.
• Governments may face huge expenses for prevention and repairs.
• It can remove topsoil and vegetation and therefor disrupt the environment.
• Natural ecosystems can be disrupted or destroyed.
• Rivers can be blocked or diverted cutting off water supplies to lakes and dams