Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumWeathering and Mass Wasting Processes

On a humid tropical hillside, fence posts, terraced walls, and telephone poles are observed to tilt gradually downslope over several years without any sudden or catastrophic land movement. Which process is primarily responsible for this phenomenon?

  1. Soil creepAnswer
  2. B
    Carbonation
  3. C
    Exfoliation
  4. D
    Metamorphism

Answer

Soil creep is the process responsible for the gradual, imperceptible downslope tilting of structures on a hillside.
Soil creep is the slowest form of mass wasting. It operates imperceptibly over long periods, causing topsoil and embedded structures such as fence posts, trees, and telephone poles to tilt progressively in the direction of the slope.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nature of the movement described in the scenario
The movement is extremely slow, continuous, and driven by gravity without sudden slope failure.
Gradual displacement of surface objects over years indicates slow mass wasting.
2
Differentiate mass wasting processes from weathering and deep geological processes
Soil creep specifically causes slow downslope displacement of topsoil and man-made structures like fence posts and poles.
In-situ weathering processes break down rocks without displacing them downslope.

Key Concept

Soil creep as a slow mass wasting mechanism
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Weathering and Mass Wasting Processes

More questions from this topic