Mass Movement: Mass

movement is the way rocks

move. The vertical joints on the
rock make it easy for freeze
thaw. As weathering breaks
down the roll, we will have rock
falls. You may also get creep and
slide when the rock gets
saturated with water.

Weathering: Weathering is the

breakdown of rock in situ and
this is happening at the top of
this cliff; from biological
weathering. The roots from
plants growing on top of the rock
will push apart cracks within the
rock, as the roots continue to
widen the cracks, may lead to a
rock fall. Chalk holds water very
well so when it rains the rock
holds the water in its cracks, at
night when the temperature
drops this sometimes freezes.
Water expands when it is frozen
this pushes the cracks apart, this
is called freeze thaw and could
also lead to rock fall. Animals
can be a cause of the breakdown
Erosion: The bottom of the cliff is where erosion will take place. Hydraulic action,
Abrasion and Attrition will wear away the rock between high and low tide, also
exposing the base of the cliff which will erode too. The sheer power of Hydraulic
action can make a wave cut notch, the overhang of this may cause a fall and this
can then be used for attrition which in turn will be used for abrasion.
Solution/corrosion may happen at both top and bottom of the rock when rain or
sea water go into the rock it may wash/dissolve some rock away.

Sophie. Gardner RB4