Test: Geomorphic Processes - 1 - UPSC MCQ

Debris slide refers to the rapid movement of earth debris without any backward rotation of the mass. Here are some key points about this process:

• Debris fall occurs when earth debris falls freely from a vertical or overhanging surface.
• Rockslide involves individual rock masses sliding down surfaces like bedding or joints.
• Rockslides can be very fast and destructive, especially on steep slopes.
• Rock fall is when rock blocks fall freely from steep slopes, distinguishing it from rockslides, which affect deeper materials.

Mass movements, including debris slides, are influenced by gravity and can range from slow to rapid movements, affecting various depths of material.

Porosity is a measure of how much of a rock is open space. This space can be between grains or within cracks or cavities of the rock. Permeability is a measure of the ease with which water can move through a porous rock.

Salt expansion normally takes place in arid climates as strong heating causes strong evaporation; leading to its expansion. It is known as salt weathering.

Endogenic forces are continuously building up the earth’s surface. The internal forces within the earth are known as endogenic forces.

Weathering is defined as mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks through the actions of various elements of weather and climate.

Diastrophism encompasses all processes that move, elevate, or build up parts of the Earth's crust. These processes include: (i) orogenic activities that create mountains through intense folding, affecting narrow, elongated regions of the crust; (ii) epeirogenic activities that cause the uplift or warping of large crustal areas; (iii) earthquakes, which involve relatively minor, localized movements; and (iv) plate tectonics, which involve the horizontal movement of crustal plates.

Folding is a process in which rocks have been molded due to compression beneath the earth surface. This is an endogenic force.

Weathering is an in-situ or on-site process. Very little or no motion of materials takes place in weathering.

A soil becomes mature when all soil-forming processes act for a sufficiently long time developing a horizon. The alluvium or glacial are considered as young soils.

Salts in pore spaces undergo rapid and repeated hydration and help in rock fracturing.