Question

How do planes of weakness impact mass movement?

A. They accelerate mass movement
B. They prevent mass movement
C. They redirect mass movement
D. They have no impact on mass movement

Answer 1

Planes of weakness like faults and fractures increase the susceptibility of slopes to mass movement by reducing material strength, thus accelerating mass movement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Planes of weakness such as faults, fractures, and bedding planes, have a significant impact on mass movement. When these planes of weakness are present on a slope, they can reduce the strength and cohesion of the material on the slope, making it more susceptible to mass wasting. Therefore, the correct answer to how planes of weakness impact mass movement is A. They accelerate mass movement, as they can reduce the resistance against the downslope force of gravity, leading to landslides, rockfalls, and other types of mass wasting events.