Mass Wasting: When Gravity Takes Control
Picture a landslide racing down a mountainside - that's mass wasting in action! It's basically all the ways that rocks, soil, and debris move downhill because gravity never takes a break.
Triggers that can set off mass wasting include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, heavy rains, weathering, human activities, and of course, gravity itself. Think of it like the final straw that breaks the camel's back.
The main factor is cohesiveness - how well the slope material sticks together versus how hard gravity pulls it down. When gravity wins, stuff starts sliding! Things like water content, steepness of the slope, and the type of material all affect this battle.
Key Point: Mass wasting happens when gravity's pull becomes stronger than the forces holding slope materials together.
Climate, geology, and vegetation also play huge roles. Mountains that get lots of rain are more prone to mass wasting, while plants with deep roots act like nature's glue, holding soil in place through their root systems.