What is the primary term used for a sudden, rapid downslope movement of soil, rock, and debris under the direct influence of gravity, typically occurring along a distinct planar or curved failure surface?

💡 Solution & Explanation

A landslide represents a rapid gravitational mass movement where earth materials detach and slide down a distinct slope failure plane. Soil creep refers to an extremely slow, imperceptible downhill movement of soil particles, while solifluction involves the saturated flow of soil over impermeable permafrost layers. Sheet wash is the uniform removal of thin layers of surface soil by unchanneled overland flow during heavy rainfall events. Landslides are triggered heavily by intense precipitation or seismic activity destabilizing steep mountain slopes.