AS: Rockfalls
- Sub-aerial weathering e.g. physical weathering
by changes in temperature wetting/ drying à block
disintegration at the top of the slope
- Rockfalls occur on slopes exceeding 400.
- Blocks at the top become loose and fall
vertically down the free face (90 degrees) due to gradual weathering processes
such as freeze thaw and/ or tectonic activity.
- Weathered rock at the foot of the slope (scree
or talus) at a 45 degree angle and is a boulder controlled concave slope.
- Causes: Reduction in shear strength due to
weathering à loose
blocks. These fall under the influence of gravity (900) à base of
the slope to form a new gentler slope segments (450).
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