By Gravity
Mass–wasting is the down-slope movement of loose rock and soil due to gravity. Whilst processes such as soil creep are very slow, landslides can be very sudden, and may cause loss of life.Mass-wasting is often aided by water, so landslides and mudflows frequently occur after heavy rain.
Examples in photos are from locations on map.
Soil Creep
Copyright Ian Alexander 2007 www.easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~iany/patterns/patterns.htm
Soil creep is slow – a few cm per year. Fences & walls lean over but trees bend as they grow. Grassland develops terracettes.Landslips
Repairs to the road at Mam Tor, Derbyshire, were abandoned in the 1970s after repeated landslides in the weak mudstones.Rock-falls
Rock falls, like this one at Beachy Head, may occur without warning after heavy rain.Mudflows
Ian West, Geology of the Wessex coast: www.soton.ac.uk
Mudflows take place after heavy rain has weakened soft clay or mudstone.Mudflows of volcanic ash are called Lahars.
