Contents of 15.6 How do mass movements sculpt the landscape?

Mass movements are the primary processes of rock and regolith movement in mountainous regions, and therefore in surface development.
Active mountain uplift increases land-surface elevation and produces high relief. Stream erosion lowers elevation along valleys, promoting very steep and unstable slopes prone to mass movement.
In addition to steep slopes, rock fractures, earthquakes, foliation of metamorphic rocks, heavy rainfall, and freeze-thaw weathering all promote mass movements in mountains.

15.6 How do mass movements sculpt the landscape?