Preview of Mass Wasting

Mass wasting is the movement of rock and soil down slope under the influence of gravity. Rock falls,
slumps, and debris flows are all examples of mass wasting. Often lubricated by rainfall or agitated by
seismic activity, these events may occur very rapidly and move as a flow. Landslide triggers may include:

Intense rainfall

Rapid snowmelt

Earthquake

Volcanic eruption

Stream or coastal erosion

The runout of a mass wasting event depends on the volume of material, water content, and slope
steepness.

Rock fall or Topple

Falling, bouncing, and rolling of debris down slope.

Land Slides and Rock Slides

Debris Flows

A Debris Flow is a type of landslide made up of a mixture of water-saturated rock debris and soil with a
consistency similar to wet cement. Debris flows move rapidly downslope under the influence of gravity.
Sometimes referred to as earth flows or mud flows

Avalanche

An avalanche occurs when a mass of rock or ice falls or slides suddenly under the force of gravity.