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  • Understanding Mass Wasting: Types, Causes, and Examples
    When rock and soil fall downhill, it's called mass wasting.

    Here are some more specific terms based on the type of movement:

    * Rockfall: Individual rocks or boulders falling freely down a slope.

    * Landslide: A large mass of rock, soil, and debris sliding down a slope.

    * Slump: A rotational movement of soil or rock along a curved surface.

    * Creep: A slow, gradual movement of soil or rock downslope.

    * Debris flow: A fast-moving mixture of mud, rocks, and water.

    * Mudflow: A debris flow consisting mainly of mud.

    Mass wasting is a natural process that can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

    * Gravity: The primary driving force behind mass wasting.

    * Water: Rain, snowmelt, and groundwater can saturate soil and make it more susceptible to movement.

    * Earthquakes: Seismic activity can trigger landslides and other forms of mass wasting.

    * Volcanic eruptions: Eruptions can deposit loose ash and debris that can be easily eroded by wind and rain.

    * Human activity: Deforestation, mining, and construction can destabilize slopes and increase the risk of mass wasting.

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