Mass Wasting
Mass Wasting
Mass Wasting
In our previous unit we learned about the rock cycle. Part of this cycle is the external processes we have come to know as weathering, mass wasting, and erosion. These processes occur near the surface of the Earth and are powered by the energy from the sun. In this essay I will talk about the process of mass wasting (Lutgens, Tarbuck, & Tasa, 2011).
Under tremendous strain from gravity, mass wasting is the movement of soil and rocks being pulled down. Mass wasting evens can be considerably manipulated by climate. Frequent freeze and thaw cycles can affect rocks because the water can seep into the rocks and then freeze. This will in turn cause the rocks to expand and crack, Causing even the toughest of rocks to break apart over time. In areas with extreme temperature differences, thermal expansion and shrinkage of rocks can occur. This will also affect the stability of rocks. Physical weathering in addition to moisture can even dissolve some of the minerals in the rock. This is known as chemical weathering and can also affect the stability of rocks. In some cases, heavy rains can cause mass wasting events. These large amounts of precipitation can large amount of pressure causing rock slides (National Park Service, 2003).
An arid climate can encounter a large amount of mass wasting even though there is considerably less rainfall. One reason for this is because of a lack of vegetation. Vegetation protects against erosion and provides stability to the slopes due to their root systems fastening the soil together. Where plants are in short supply, mass wasting is increased, especially if the slopes are steep and water is plentiful. When anchoring vegetation is absent due to forest fires or people, surface soil and rock will frequently move down slope (Science Encyclopedia, 2014).
Works Cited
Lutgens, F., Tarbuck, E., & Tasa, D. (2011). Foundations of Earth Science. Upper Saddle River: Prentice.
National Park Service.
Mass Wasting
In our previous unit we learned about the rock cycle. Part of this cycle is the external processes we have come to know as weathering, mass wasting, and erosion. These processes occur near the surface of the Earth and are powered by the energy from the sun. In this essay I will talk about the process of mass wasting (Lutgens, Tarbuck, & Tasa, 2011).
Under tremendous strain from gravity, mass wasting is the movement of soil and rocks being pulled down. Mass wasting evens can be considerably manipulated by climate. Frequent freeze and thaw cycles can affect rocks because the water can seep into the rocks and then freeze. This will in turn cause the rocks to expand and crack, Causing even the toughest of rocks to break apart over time. In areas with extreme temperature differences, thermal expansion and shrinkage of rocks can occur. This will also affect the stability of rocks. Physical weathering in addition to moisture can even dissolve some of the minerals in the rock. This is known as chemical weathering and can also affect the stability of rocks. In some cases, heavy rains can cause mass wasting events. These large amounts of precipitation can large amount of pressure causing rock slides (National Park Service, 2003).
An arid climate can encounter a large amount of mass wasting even though there is considerably less rainfall. One reason for this is because of a lack of vegetation. Vegetation protects against erosion and provides stability to the slopes due to their root systems fastening the soil together. Where plants are in short supply, mass wasting is increased, especially if the slopes are steep and water is plentiful. When anchoring vegetation is absent due to forest fires or people, surface soil and rock will frequently move down slope (Science Encyclopedia, 2014).
Works Cited
Lutgens, F., Tarbuck, E., & Tasa, D. (2011). Foundations of Earth Science. Upper Saddle River: Prentice.
National Park Service.
Cited: Lutgens, F., Tarbuck, E., & Tasa, D. (2011). Foundations of Earth Science. Upper Saddle River: Prentice. National Park Service. (2003, May 22). Explore Geology. Retrieved from National Park Service: http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/hazards/mass_wasting.cfm Science Encyclopedia. (2014). Mass Wasting - Influence Of Climate. Retrieved from Science Encyclopedia: http://science.jrank.org/pages/4178/Mass-Wasting-Influence-climate.html