Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 14 - Section 14.6 - What Causes Earth’s Varied Topography? - Concept Checks - Page 438: 4

Answer

The process of mountainous regions experiencing gravitational collapse is called gravitational spreading or gravitational collapse. It occurs when the weight of a mountain or tall landform causes the underlying rocks to deform and flow slowly, leading to the outward spreading of the mountain's flanks. This process is often observed in tall, steep-sided mountains with weak or poorly consolidated rocks, such as sedimentary rocks or volcanic ash deposits. Over time, the mountain's materials are redistributed downslope through gravitational spreading, causing the mountain to lose height and gradually adopt a more rounded or less steep shape. Gravitational collapse is a slow process and can significantly modify the topography of mountainous regions over geological time scales.

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