A landslide is the movement of rocks, dirt, and boulders down a slope due to gravity. They occur when layers of earth separate, often due to weathering, erosion, or natural events like earthquakes and volcanoes. Landslides can vary in size and impact, from minor to highly destructive. The largest recorded landslide occurred in 1980 during the eruption of Mount St. Helens, causing significant destruction and forming new lakes.

What is a landslide primarily caused by?

• The movement of tectonic plates

• The pull of the moon's gravity

• The rotation of the Earth

• The force of gravity on loosened earth layers

Which natural process can weaken slopes and contribute to landslides?

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Weathering and erosion

• Photosynthesis

How can plant roots influence landslides?

• By preventing soil erosion

• By providing nutrients to the soil

• By acting as a wedge and widening cracks

• By absorbing all the water in the soil

What natural events can trigger landslides by disrupting steep slopes?

• Hurricanes and tornadoes

• Earthquakes and volcanoes

• Solar flares and eclipses

• Droughts and heatwaves

What was a significant outcome of the Mount St. Helens landslide?

• The formation of several new lakes

• The creation of a new mountain

• The discovery of a new mineral

• The extinction of a species