Mass Wasting in the environment.

Mass Wasting in the environment.

Mass Wasting is the downslope movements of loose rock materials under the influence of gravity.

Water is the best factor that facilitates mass Wasting due to its lubricant nature and this easing the flow of weathered rock materials downslope.

All various forms of downward movements of weathered rock materials under the influence of gravity are collectively called mass movements.

Areas which are mainly affected by mass Wasting are;high land areas.

Types of Mass movements

There are two different types of Mass movements and the rapid movements can't easily be noticed.

Slow movements.

The slow movements can't be easily noticed and act continuously over along period of time. Such movements include;

Talus creep 

It involves the movement of materials of all sizes downslope to the base of the mountain.

The process occurs highly in mountain regions where freezing and thawing take place.

Soil creep

This is the slowest type of mass movements which involves continuous movements of soil and rock particles downslope.

Solifluction

This is a process in which melting snow helps to lubricate the moving mass of rocks downslope.

The Rapid movements.

These are gradually referred to as landslides and these include;

Mudflow

It involves the movement of unconsolidated semi liquid rock materials downslope due to heavy raining.

Rockfall

This is the process that occurs when massive soils or rocks are lubricated by water.

This is where jointed rocks loosen due to weathering and fall off down asteep slope .

Rock slump

This is the process that occurs when massive soils and rocks are lubricated by heavy rains and slide downslope.

Rock side

This is where rocks a long steep slopes slide down at a high speed.

Causes of mass movements or mass Wasting 

Nature of relief or slope;

Very steep slopes increases the movement of weathered rock materials downslope.

Action of plant roots;

These penetrate into rocks widen the existing joints making them loose 

Heavy rains;

These lubricate the soils leading to a faster rate of mass movements.

Natural catastrophes;

They include earthquakes that lead to breakdown of rocks thus causing mass Wasting.

Deforestation

This exposes the land or soil particles to weathering and makes  rock particles too loose.

Human activities

They include mining,road construction,and many others.

Other causes of mass Wasting are; vibrations of the Earth's surface caused by heavy trucks and machinery.

 

Domestic animals that trample the vegetation cover thus exposing the soil particles to agent of mass movements.

Effects of mass movements or Mass wasting

Destruction of transport and communication routes like roads, railways and telephone lines.

It leads to destruction of lives and property.

It accelerates the  problem of  soil erosion along steep slopes leading to soil exhaustion.

It leads to the destruction of agricultural land and thus reducing its productivity.

It affects drainage by blocking flowing of rivers and thus causing temporary floods.

It causes bending of telephone lines, electric poles and houses which eventually fall.

Measures taken to contoll mass wasting

Practicing afforestation and reafforestation to reduce the heavy splashing of rain drops.

Practicing agroforestry like growing of trees and crops together.

Planting plant cover crops like pumpkins to protect the soil from surface run off.

Sensitizing masses on proper utilization o of steep slopes.

Practicing better faming methods like terracing in highland areas.

Building protective concrete walls on very steep slopes.

Resettling people from areas affected by landslides as forest reserves and game parks.