where are natural hazards involving mass wasting process most likely to occur
Mass wasting
Water can increase or decrease the stability of a slope depending on the amount present . Small amounts of water can strengthen soils because the surface tension of water increases soil cohesion . This allows the soil to resist erosion better than if it were dry . If too much water is present the water may act to increase the pore pressure , reducing friction , and accelerating the erosion process and resulting in different types of mass wasting ( i.e. mudflows , landslides , etc . ) . A good example of this is to think of a sand castle . Water must be mixed with sand in order for the castle to keep its shape . If too much water is added the sand washes away , if not enough water is added the sand falls and can not keep its shape . Water also increases the mass of the soil , this is important because an increase in mass means that there will be an increase in velocity if mass wasting is triggered . Saturated water , however , eases the process of mass wasting in that the rock and soil debris are easily washed down - slope .
Water can increase or decrease the stability of a slope depending on the amount present . Small amounts of water can strengthen soils because the surface tension of water increases soil cohesion . This allows the soil to resist erosion better than if it were dry . If too much water is present the water may act to increase the pore pressure , reducing friction , and accelerating the erosion process and resulting in different types of mass wasting ( i.e. mudflows , landslides , etc . ) . A good example of this is to think of a sand castle . Water must be mixed with sand in order for the castle to keep its shape . If too much water is added the sand washes away , if not enough water is added the sand falls and can not keep its shape . Water also increases the mass of the soil , this is important because an increase in mass means that there will be an increase in velocity if mass wasting is triggered . Saturated water , however , eases the process of mass wasting in that the rock and soil debris are easily washed down - slope .