Question 1

All of the following can be used to predict an immediate mass- movement event EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

Large slump areas can be camouflaged beneath vegetation and creeping materials. These are best detected by using:

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

What is the cause of solifluction seen in very cold regions?

Accepted Answer

Solifluction occurs in very cold regions due to the summer thawing of the active layer of permafrost, which causes the saturated soil to slowly flow downhill.

Question 4

The first step in preventing mass- movement events is:

Accepted Answer

Investigating subsurface geology helps understand the stability of the area and identify potential risks, which is crucial for preventing mass-movement events.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the magnitude of damage and death due to mass- movement events in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Mass movement events, such as landslides, often cause significant property damage due to the movement of large volumes of earth material, but they typically result in fewer deaths compared to other natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes.

Question 6

The principal factor driving mass movement is:

Accepted Answer

Gravity is the principal factor driving mass movement, as it is the force that pulls materials downslope.

Question 7

Evidence of past slope failure is demonstrated by all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Gently sloping, vegetated hillsides typically indicate stability and are not evidence of past slope failure, unlike the other options which are direct indicators of such events.

Question 8

All of the following events were associated with the Madison Canyon mass- movement event of 1959 EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The Madison Canyon mass-movement event of 1959 was primarily a landslide and earthquake event, not associated with volcanic activity or lava eruptions.

Question 9

Risk- level maps issued by government agencies depicting mass- movement events are based on:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Risk- level maps issued by government agencies...

Question 10

Mass- movement events on the Moon are triggered primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Meteorite impacts are the primary trigger for mass-movement events on the Moon due to the lack of atmosphere and weather-related processes.

Question 11

Slopes composed of bedrock are most susceptible to mass movement when:

Accepted Answer

Sedimentary rocks with bedding planes parallel to the slope surface can easily slide along these planes, making them more susceptible to mass movement.

Question 12

Ancient Martian mudflows most likely gained their water from:

Accepted Answer

Melted permafrost is a likely source of water for ancient Martian mudflows, as Mars has evidence of permafrost and subsurface ice that could have melted and contributed to mudflows.

Question 13

All of the following are true of earthflows EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Earthflows are not the fastest and most dangerous type of flow; that distinction typically belongs to debris flows or mudflows. Earthflows are slower and involve the movement of saturated soil and regolith.

Question 14

The most common type of mass movement is:

Accepted Answer

Creep is the most common type of mass movement due to its slow and gradual nature, affecting large areas over time.

Question 15

Underwater landslides on the southeastern flanks of the K'ilauea volcano are due to:

Accepted Answer

Inflation of the volcano before eruption causes the southeastern flanks to move downslope, resulting in underwater landslides.

Question 16

More than any other factor,_________ can cause a previously stable slope to become unstable.

Accepted Answer

The addition of large amounts of water can significantly reduce the stability of a slope by increasing the weight and decreasing the friction between particles, leading to potential landslides or slope failures.

Question 17

Which of the following represents a common relationship between types of mass movement?

Accepted Answer

Creep is a slow, gradual movement of soil or rock that can destabilize a slope, making it more susceptible to faster movements like slides.

Question 18

All of the following indicate potential future mass movement EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Steam emitted from the local soil is not typically associated with mass movement; it may indicate geothermal activity instead.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the forces involved in the stability of a slope?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best describes the...

Question 20

On a slope susceptible to mass movement, the best way to reduce the movement potential is to:

Accepted Answer

Reducing the water content of the slope decreases the likelihood of mass movement by increasing the stability of the soil and reducing the weight and lubrication that water adds.

Quiz 14: Mass Movement