If you see a gently sloping hillside with tilting utility poles, broken retaining walls and trees with curved tree trunks, what type of mass wasting has probably occurred?

Question options:

A. Avalanche

B. Slump

C. Creep

D. Earth flow

E. Fall

Answer:

C. Creep

Explanation:

Creep is characterized by a very slow mass movement that persists for years or even centuries. You may not witness creep as it happens but you could tell by tilting poles and fences and broken retaining walls that creeping has taken place. Rock or soil particles movement in this geological process is caused by shear stress enough to cause permanent deformation.