(i) Match each of the following examples of mass movement with the letter that best matches it from the images: B
A C D
• Soil creep • Landslide
• Rockfall • Slumping
(ii) Explain briefly what is meant by mass movement. SAMPLE ANSWER
(i) Soil creep is shown in picture D. The landslide is shown in picture A. A rockfall is shown in picture B. Slumping is shown in picture C.
Total 30/30
The explanation of mass
(ii) Mass movement is the process by which loose, weathered material such as rock, soil, mud and other loose material (known as regolith), moves downslope under the influence of gravity [3m]. Mass movement occurs on nearly all slopes and can be fast or slow depending on a number of factors such as natural weathering, natural disasters and human interference [3m].
HIGHER LEVEL
EXAM QUESTION Describe and explain any two processes of mass movement. Marking Scheme
Two processes named 2 x 2m Examination of each process 6/7 SRPs @ 2m each SAMPLE ANSWER
Two processes of mass movement that I have studied are soil creep and mudflows [2m + 2m].
Soil creep is the slowest form of mass movement, occurring on slopes of between 5° and 15° [2m]. Soil creep occurs at a maximum speed of 0.5 cm per year [2m]. It occurs in areas which experience frequent freeze-thaw action and wet-dry cycles, e.g. the West of Ireland [2m]. Freeze-thaw action loosens regolith through expansion
PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 171 2014 Q2B 30M
movement is clear and precise, without falling into the trap of discussing individual
processes such as soil creep.
Marking Scheme
Each feature correctly matched to images 6m each 2 SRPs @ 3m each
2013 Q2A 30M Marks Awarded
Processes correctly matched with images 4 x 6m Two SRPs explaining mass movement @ 2m each
