Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Which of the following is a type of mass wasting?

1. Subduction

2. Topples

3. Hydrothermal venting

4. Hotspot formation

The correct answer is: Topples

Mass wasting refers to the movement of soil and rock downslope due to gravity. It encompasses various processes, including landslides, rockfalls, and topples. Topples occur when a mass of rock or soil breaks away from a slope and falls forward, often as a result of undercutting by erosion or other destabilizing forces. This term specifically describes the type of movement that is abruptly downslope, aligning with the definition of mass wasting. In contrast, the other options pertain to geological processes that do not involve direct downslope movement of materials due to gravitational forces. Subduction involves tectonic plates converging, where one plate moves under another, leading to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes but not mass wasting directly. Hydrothermal venting refers to the discharge of heated water from the sea floor, often associated with underwater volcanic activity, and does not describe mass movement of solids. Hotspot formation involves localized volcanic activity that can create islands, such as those in Hawaii, but similarly does not pertain to mass wasting. Therefore, the only choice that correctly represents a type of mass wasting is topples.