1 Answers
The factors responsible for mass movement are:
Relief and slope:
1. There should be considerable elevation in an area for down slope movement to occur.
2. Such movements will not occur in plain areas.
3. Hilly, mountainous and plateau areas are more vulnerable to such movements.
4. The steeper the slope, higher are the chances of occurrence of mass movements. Gentle slopes will have slow movements while steep slopes will have rapid movements.
Gravity:
1. It is the main force responsible for mass movements.
2. It is a force that acts everywhere on the surface of the earth, pulling everything down.
Water:
1. Although water is not always directly involved as transporting medium but it plays an important role.
2. Addition of water from rainfall or snowfall or melting of snow makes the material on the slope heavier.
3. Water can reduce the friction along a sliding surface.
Weak material and structures:
1. Some rocks are weaker than others. Rocks which have joints break easily.
2. In particular, rocks containing calcium or clay minerals tend to have a low strength.
3. Such areas will be more susceptible to mass wasting.