Glossary
Landslide—A mass movement in which a fairly coherent mass of rock and/or soil rapidly moves down slope along a discrete plane; sometimes used to include all types of moderately rapid mass movements involving flows, falls, or slides.
· Creep—A mass movement that involves gradual down-slope movement (flow), too slow to be observed directly, but apparent in many long-term observations.
· Slumps—A mass movement process in which a fairly coherent mass of rock and/or soil moves down slope over a discrete surface, but curved (concave-upward) surface. Slumps occur much faster than creep but slower than slides.
· Mudflow-a fluid or hardened stream or avalanche of mud.
Hydrolysis- is a chemical reaction in which water reacts with another substance to split it into two or more substances.
Oxidation- A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with some other substance and in which ions, atoms, or molecules lose electrons. During oxidation, an atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion. (An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that carries an electrical charge, either positive or negative.) Metal atoms tend to undergo oxidation easily.
Deposition- A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with some other substance and in which ions, atoms, or molecules lose electrons. During oxidation, an atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion. (An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that carries an electrical charge, either positive or negative.) Metal atoms tend to undergo oxidation easily.
Exfoliation- · A weathering process during which thin layers of rock peel off from the surface. This is caused by the heating of the rock surface during the day and cooling at night leading to alternate expansion and contraction.
Crystal Growth- A weathering process during which thin layers of rock peel off from the surface. This is caused by the heating of the rock surface during the day and cooling at night leading to alternate expansion and contraction.
· Creep—A mass movement that involves gradual down-slope movement (flow), too slow to be observed directly, but apparent in many long-term observations.
· Slumps—A mass movement process in which a fairly coherent mass of rock and/or soil moves down slope over a discrete surface, but curved (concave-upward) surface. Slumps occur much faster than creep but slower than slides.
· Mudflow-a fluid or hardened stream or avalanche of mud.
Hydrolysis- is a chemical reaction in which water reacts with another substance to split it into two or more substances.
Oxidation- A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with some other substance and in which ions, atoms, or molecules lose electrons. During oxidation, an atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion. (An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that carries an electrical charge, either positive or negative.) Metal atoms tend to undergo oxidation easily.
Deposition- A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with some other substance and in which ions, atoms, or molecules lose electrons. During oxidation, an atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion. (An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that carries an electrical charge, either positive or negative.) Metal atoms tend to undergo oxidation easily.
Exfoliation- · A weathering process during which thin layers of rock peel off from the surface. This is caused by the heating of the rock surface during the day and cooling at night leading to alternate expansion and contraction.
Crystal Growth- A weathering process during which thin layers of rock peel off from the surface. This is caused by the heating of the rock surface during the day and cooling at night leading to alternate expansion and contraction.