Mudflows, slumps, and landslides are all forms of major soil movement. The movements bear the similarity that they are all caused by gravity although water plays a role in aiding the movement. Furthermore, these soil movements tend to be faster as compared to others such as creep. They also tend to be downhill movements. The soil movements are different in that mudflows are a mixture of water and soil flowing down a hill whereas slumps are formed when partially dry soil flow down a hill. Slumps tend to form a crescent shape as they flow. Landslides are as a result of gravity causing rocks to roll down a hill. Landslides are unique as they involve layers of rock flowing downhill. Mudflows can be differentiated from slumps as the former is faster as it contains a mixture of soil and water. Slumps tend to be gradual and a bit slower than mudflows.
Question Two
Mesas and buttes are small hills with flat tops that have a smaller surface area as compared to plateaus and steep cliff-like sides. They are normally composed of sedimentary rock that is formed as a result of compression and accumulation of sediment. The sediment may consist of minerals, remains of microscopic organisms, and rock fragments. The top layer of these geographical features is a hardened rock later that do not erode. This top layer, referred to as the cap rock, is at times made of hardened lava that has cooled and that had spread across the landscape repeatedly.
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Mesas and buttes are formed just like plateaus. There arise due to forces just below the outermost layer of the earth’s surface called the crust. These internal forces mount pressure on the crust’s bottom making it fracture into sections. These sections are called plates. The plates then collide and slide above and below each other as a result of the earth’s internal forces and hence form these geographical features.
