Here's a breakdown of the term:
* Mass: Refers to the large amount of material involved.
* Wasting: Implies the movement and loss of material from its original location.
Mass wasting encompasses a variety of processes, including:
* Creep: Slow, gradual movement of soil and rock.
* Slump: A rotational slide of a mass of rock or soil along a curved surface.
* Rockfall: Free-falling rocks from cliffs or steep slopes.
* Landslide: Rapid downslope movement of a large mass of rock or soil.
* Mudflow: Rapid flow of water-saturated soil and debris.
* Debris flow: A mixture of rock, soil, and water that flows rapidly down a slope.
These processes are influenced by factors like gravity, slope angle, material properties, and the presence of water.
