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Difficulty: MediumEnvironmental Hazards, Degradation, and Management

In hilly terrain such as the Jos Plateau, intense rainfall often causes large masses of saturated soil and rock debris to slide rapidly down steep slopes under the direct influence of gravity. Which environmental hazard process best describes this bulk downslope movement of material?

  1. Mass wastingAnswer
  2. B
    Chemical weathering
  3. C
    Sheet erosion
  4. D
    In-situ disintegration

Answer

Mass wasting is the process responsible for the bulk downslope movement of soil and rock debris under gravity.
The correct response identifies mass wasting, which encompasses slope failure processes such as landslides and mudflows where gravity directly moves weathered material down an incline.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the process described in the scenario
The scenario highlights saturated soil and rock debris moving down steep slopes under gravity.
Identifying the primary driving force (gravity) distinguishes mass movement from erosion or weathering.
2
Distinguish between weathering, erosion, and mass wasting
Weathering occurs in situ (in place), erosion requires a moving medium like running water or wind, while mass wasting is driven directly by gravity.
Mass wasting hazards include landslides, mudflows, and rockfalls triggered by slope saturation.

Key Concept

Distinction between in-situ weathering and gravitational mass wasting hazards
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Topics

Environmental Hazards, Degradation, and Management

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