B.15. Exogenic Process

UPSC Full Course [English]

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B.15. Exogenic Process

Examples of exogenic processes include weathering, mass movement, erosion, deposition, etc.

All the exogenic processes are covered under a term called denudation. Denudation means to strip off or to uncover. eg . Mass movements, erosion, etc.

Weathering

Weathering is defined as the mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks through the actions of various elements of weather and climate.

Types of weathering – Chemical, physical and biological weathering.

Weathering processes are responsible for breaking down the rocks into smaller fragments and preparing the way for the formation of not only regolith and soils but also erosion and mass movements.

Weathering is also important for the formation of the soils.

Mass Movements

Mass movement is the movement of weathered materials down a slope due to gravitational forces. The movement may be gradual or sudden, depending on the gradient of the slope, the weight of the weathered debris and whether there is any lubricating moisture supplied by rain.

Soil Creep – a slow gradual but more or less continuous movement of soil down hills.
Soil flow or Mudflow – When the soil is completely saturated with water the individual particles are almost suspended in the water and move easily over one another and over the underlying rock.
Landslides – The very rapid kind of movement that occurs when a large mass of soil or rock falls suddenly.

Mass movements do not come under erosion because these are aided by gravity and no geomorphic agent like running water, glaciers, wind, etc. participates in the process.

[Title: Seismic waves]

[Title: Surface Waves]

B.15. Exogenic Process

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