Question

Distinguish between weathering and mass wasting.

Answer 1

	Weathering	Mass Wasting
1.	It is the disintegration, breaking down and decomposition of components in the earths crust through the action of natural or other agents.	It is the movement of rocks and other particles along slopes and hills because of the action of gravity and force and gets amassed in the bases.
2.	It can be mechanical, chemical or biological.	It can be rapid movements like rock falls or landslides or slower movements like erosion.
3.	It does not result in the occurence of any natural disaster.	It can result in disaster like landslides.
4.	Weathering is of three types – Mechanical, Chemical and Biological.	Mass wasting is of two types – Rapid and Slow.
5.	Breaking or weakening of rocks is called as weathering.	When weathered rock material moves down the slopes due to gravity and accumulate near the foothills or gentle slopes, it is mass wasting.