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What are the physical factors enhancing movement of materials along a slope due to gravity?

Explain the physical factors that enhance movement of materials along a slope due to gravity.

Answers

Maurice
(i) Vegetation cover: Bare surfaces are most likely to experience mass wasting because there is no vegetation to bind the materials together.

(ii) Angle of slope: The steeper the slope, the faster the rate of movement.Where rocks are dipping steeply,movement is faster.

(iii) Earth movements: Earthquakes or volcanic eruptions or isostatic adjustments cause vibrations which may trigger widespread movement of weathered rock materials.

(iv) Heavy and large materials move faster on a slope as they are more likely to be overcome by gravity.

(v) Amount of water: The more saturated the rock or soil is,the more likely it is to move as water adds weight and lubricates. Alternate freezing and thawing encourages movement.
maurice.mutuku answered the question on June 6, 2017 at 13:17

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