Final answer:
The situation in the excerpt is influenced by geographical factors such as weathering (especially freeze-thaw weathering), mass movement events like landslides, erosion by abrasion, climate, and topography including steep slopes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The situation described in the excerpt is influenced by various geographical and geological factors. These factors include weathering, which refers to the breaking down or dissolution of rocks and minerals on Earth's surface. More specifically, freeze-thaw weathering is a dominant process in colder climates where temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point. This type of weathering occurs when water enters cracks in the rock, freezes, expands, and subsequently weakens the rock.
Mass movement events such as landslides are often a result of weathering and other environmental factors. These events can deposit additional material into rivers, which increases erosion by abrasion as the transported fragments grind against the riverbed and banks, further shaping the landscape. Erosion and weathering processes are greatly influenced by climate, topography, and events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Topography, particularly steep slopes, can lead to an increase in erosion due to more runoff and less water infiltration. In colder regions, processes such as solifluction or soil creep can contribute to landscape changes. The excerpt also mentions mass movement events near Appleby, which suggests that topography and weather conditions contribute to the likelihood of such occurrences.