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Letter MGeology glossary

Mass Wasting

Mass wasting is the movement of soil, rock, and debris downslope under the influence of gravity. It includes processes such as landslides, rockfalls, and soil creep. Mass wasting is significant in shaping landscapes, influencing erosion rates, and contributing to the development of valleys and other landforms.

Layered cliffside mountain above blue Arctic water (Mass Wasting)
Fig. 1 Layered cliffside mountain above blue Arctic water (Mass Wasting)

Source Selby, M. J. (1993). “Hillslope Materials and Processes.” Oxford University Press.

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