The Mass Wasting Concept

Mass wasting is the natural process where soil, rock, or debris moves downhill due to gravity. This movement can happen gradually, like soil slippage, or suddenly, like a landslide or rockfall. Factors such as steep slopes, saturation from rain, and loose or weak material increase the risk. Mass wasting shapes the landscape, creating features like valleys and slopes, but it can also cause damage to property and safety. It’s a key part of earth’s natural cycle of erosion and landscape development, primarily driven by gravity and influenced by environmental conditions.