While travelling to a hilly region, you notice a massive boulder, whic

While travelling to a hilly region, you notice a massive boulder, which was loosened by heavy rains and moved downhill. This has resulted due to which of the following processes?

Mass wasting
Erosion
Weathering

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1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The scenario describes a process involving multiple geological phenomena. Heavy rains contribute to weathering by saturating the ground and potentially expanding cracks, which helps *loosen* the boulder or the material supporting it. Heavy rains also act as a trigger for mass wasting by increasing the weight of the material, reducing friction (lubrication), and increasing pore water pressure. Erosion by the heavy rain could also potentially undercut the boulder’s support. The actual *movement* of the boulder downhill under the influence of gravity is a clear example of mass wasting (potentially a rockfall or part of a landslide). Thus, weathering contributed to the loosening, erosion by rain contributed to the triggering mechanism, and mass wasting is the process of movement.

Weathering weakens material, making it susceptible to movement. Mass wasting is the downslope movement under gravity. Erosion is the transport of material by agents like water. In this scenario, all three processes are likely involved or contribute to the event.

Mass wasting events like landslides or rockfalls are often preceded by weathering and triggered by events like heavy rainfall or earthquakes. Heavy rain can cause significant erosion, which further destabilizes slopes and contributes to the trigger.

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