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Mass wasting or mass movement is the down slope movement of loose mixture of soil, land and rock particles by force of gravity. Following are different types of mass wasting:
Creep:
1. Very slow imperceptible down slope movement of materials is called creep.
2. It occurs along top and basal portions of hills.
Rock fall:
1. Rock falls are relatively small landslides confined to the removal of individual and superficial blocks down a cliff base.
2. It mainly occurs in rocky areas.
Earth flow:
1. Earth flow is promoted by excessive water received mostly through rainfall so that the materials are oversaturated.
2. It typically occurs on hill sides in humid regions.
Solifluction:
1. Solifluction is the name for the slow downhill creep of soil, which occurs in a variety of climatic conditions.
2. It occurs in periglacial or alpine regions.
3. It occurs very slowly, so it is measured in millimetres or centimetres.
4. As permafrost is impermeable to water, soil overlying may become oversaturated and the slides slope down under the pull of gravity.
Landslide:
1. It may be mentioned that generally all types of mass movements of rock wastes including soils and ice are collectively called landslides.
2. It occurs on moderately steep slopes.
3. Gravity is primary force for the landslide to occur, others are slope stability, heavy rainfall or earthquake.