Study of Geology

Mass Wasting Definition The geomorphic process by which soil, regolith, and rock move downslope under the force of gravity. Explanation Mass wasting occurs on both terrestrial and submarine slopes and has been observed on Earth, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter's moon.  When the gravitational force acting on a slope exceeds its resisting force, slope failure (mass wasting) occurs. The slope material strength and cohesion and the amount of internal friction between material help maintain the stability of the slope and are known collectively as the slope shear strength. The steepest angle that a cohesionless slope can maintain without losing its stability is known as its angle of repose. When a slope possesses this angle, its shear strength perfectly counterbalances the force of gravity acting upon it. Types of Mass Wasting Ultimately the classification results into the following types of mass  wasting: Creeps. Slides. Slumps. Flows. Falls. 1. Cree...

SOIL Soil refers to the top most material on the earth’s surface and constitutes the outer most layer of the earth’s crust. Table of Contents Soil Soil Formation  Soil Profile  Factors Affecting soil Formation  Process Of Soil Formation Soil PH Soil Erosion  SOIL Introduction :- Soil formation is a long term process. It takes several million years to form a thin layer of soil. As soil is a complex mixture of various components, its formation is also more complex. The Formation of a particular type of soil depends upon the physico-chemical properties of the parent rock, intensity and duration of weathering, climatic and other parameters. Soil Formation Soil is the thin surface layer on the earth, comprising mineral particles formed by the breakdown of rocks, decayed organic matter, living organisms, soil water and soil atmosphere. Soil formation starts with weathering of rock masses and accumulation of weathered particles on the surf...

Volcanic activity  ranges from the emission of gases, non-explosive lava emissions to extremely violent explosive bursts that may last many hours.  WHAT IS A VOLCANO? A volcano is a spot in Earth's crust where molten rock, volcanic ash and certain types of gases escape from an underground chamber. Magma is the name for that molten rock when it's below ground. Scientists call it lava once that liquid rock erupts from the ground – and may start flowing across Earth's surface. It's still "lava" even after it's cooled and solidified. WHERE VOLCANOES TAKE PLACE Volcanoes take place at destructive plate boundaries and constructive plate boundaries. 1,500 active volcanoes exist across our planet, according to scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). About 500 volcanoes have erupted since humans have been keeping records. Of all volcanoes that have erupted in the past 10,000 years, 10% reside in the United States. Most of them exist in...