CIE A Level Geography: Mass Movement

What is mass movement in geography?

• Movement of surface material caused by gravity.

• Movement of surface material caused by volcanic activity

• Movement of surface material caused by wind

• Movement of surface material caused by water erosion

List and explain the different types of mass movement.

• Rockfalls, landslides, mudflows, and creep

• Rockslides

• Mountain collapses

• Sediment flows

How does gravity play a role in mass movement?

• Gravity has no impact on mass movement.

• Gravity pushes objects uphill, causing materials to move upwards.

• Gravity pulls objects downhill, causing materials to slide, flow, or fall downhill.

• Gravity creates a vacuum that prevents mass movement.

Discuss the factors that contribute to mass movement.

• Wind speed, soil type, earthquake activity

• Population density, traffic patterns, urban development

• Temperature, air pressure, magnetic fields

• Gravity, slope angle, water content, vegetation cover, and human activities.

Explain the concept of soil creep.

• Soil creep is the slow, gradual movement of soil downhill due to gravity.

• Soil creep is caused by volcanic activity.

• Soil creep is a rapid movement of soil uphill.

• Soil creep is a phenomenon only observed in deserts.

What are the impacts of mass movement on the environment?

• Mass movements lead to increased biodiversity

• Mass movements can cause erosion, alter landscapes, destroy habitats, and pollute water sources.

• Mass movements have no impact on the environment

• Mass movements improve soil quality

Describe the process of landslides and how they are classified.

• Landslides are classified based on the color of the rocks involved

• Landslides are caused by strong winds blowing debris down a slope

• Landslides are the movement of rock, debris, and soil down a slope. They can be triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or human activities. Landslides are classified based on the type of material involved, such as rockfalls, debris flows, and earth slides.

• Landslides only occur in urban areas

How can mass movement be prevented or mitigated?

• Implementing measures such as afforestation, constructing retaining walls, installing drainage systems, reducing surface water runoff, and avoiding construction on steep slopes.

• Encouraging deforestation

• Building more structures on steep slopes

• Increasing surface water runoff

Discuss the role of water in triggering mass movement.

• Water decreases the weight of materials

• Water saturates the material, reduces friction, and increases weight, leading to slope instability and mass movements.

• Water has no impact on mass movement

• Water increases stability of slopes

Compare and contrast mass movement with other forms of erosion.

• Mass movement occurs only in deserts, while other forms of erosion occur in mountainous regions.

• Mass movement is the downhill movement of rock and soil due to gravity, while other forms of erosion like water and wind erosion involve the transportation of material by water or wind.

• Mass movement is a slow process, while other forms of erosion happen rapidly.

• Mass movement involves the movement of water, while other forms of erosion involve the movement of rock and soil.