SLOPE EVOLUTION Slope is an inclined surface which can be identified with geometrical parameters of gradient and length.

Slopes basically acquire rectilinear, concave or convex shapes as an outcome of varying interaction of exogenetic and endogenetic factors on the Earths surface CONCAVE RECTILINEAR CONVEX

SLOPE SHAPES CREST L=LENGTH

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL

= GRADIENT FOOT The complex process of interaction of the aforesaid factors upon the earths surface leads to development of depicted slopes. This process of formation of depicted slopes and their subsequent transformation from steeper to gentle is called Slope genesis. This complex phenomenon could be explained through 3 simplified theories of Slope

EXOGENETIC FACTORS

PROCESSES/CLIMATE

VEGETATION

EARTH SURFACE

BASE LEVEL CHANGE

ASPECT

ENDOGENETIC FACTORS

TECTONIC MOVEMENTS

FACTORS AFFECTING SLOPE

evolution (i) Slope Decline (ii) Parallel Retreat and (iii) Slope Replacement, deliberated as hereunder Slope decline theory of W.M Davis deals with the cutting down of a slope by denudation in which the steepest part of the slope progressively decreases in gradient, accompanied by the development of an upper convexity and lower concavity. The theory was originated with the cycle of erosion of W.M Davis. Slope decline theory explains the evolution of the slope and subsequent transformation from steeper slope to gentle one. In accordance to the cycle of erosion Slope evolution/ Slope development occurs through 4 phases such as (i) Rejuvenation (ii) Young (iii) Mature and (iv) Old. Stepwise explanation is as follows

Development of cracks STEP-I: Action of Endogenetic forces on Earths Surface Endogenetic Forces

STEP-II: Rejuvenation/Sudden uplift

Endogenetic Forces

Slip face STEP-III: Endogenetic forces ceases. Youth stage starts as denudation commences with the action of exogenetic forces. Development of slip face

Zone of Active Erosion

Exogenetic forces Toe forc es

Zone of deposition

Vigourous Down Cutting forces

STEP-IV: Massive down cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to development of depicted slope profiles (convex, concave & rectilinear)

STEP-V: Development of slip face along the same toe and further denudation by agents of erosion (Down cutting)

Vigourous Down Cutting Toe forc es

Down Cutting forces

STEP-VI: Reduction in slope gradient due to vigourous downcutting

STEP-VII: Start of Mature Stage. Denudation by down-cutting changes the slope gradient from steep to moderate. Denudation continues

Down Cutting forces

Base Level of Erosion

STEP-VIII: Denudation continues. Slope gradient changes from steep to gentle.

STEP-IX: Denudation continues. Slope gradient changes from gentle to rolling. An undulating surface of low relief (Peneplain), interspersed with occasional residual hills (Monadnocks) is formed

Angle of rotation

Point of rotation

Peneplain

Monadnocks Slope decline theory, also called the slope rotation theory as there occur rotation of the slope along the toe of slip face.

Base Level of Erosion

Parallel retreat theory of L.C King deals with the cutting back of a slope by denudation without a change in the gradient. Each section of the slope retreats under the forces of weathering and erosion to a new slope that is parallel to that of original surface. The theory was propounded with the Savanna cycle of erosion. The phases are similar to that of normal cycle of erosion of W.M Davis.

STEP-I: Action of Endogenetic forces on Earths Surface

STEP-II: Rejuvenation/Sudden uplift

STEP-III: Endogenetic forces ceases. Youth stage starts as denudation commences with the action of exogenetic forces. Development of slip face parallel to the slope surface

STEP-IV: Massive back cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to development of slope profile parallel to the original slope

STEP-V: Washing of deposited material at the foothill. Development of slip face parallel to the surface

STEP-VI: Massive back cutting occurred along the slip face and eroded material deposited at the foothill

STEP-VII: Washing of deposited material at the foothill. Pediplain, surface of low relief broken by occasional residual hills (Inselberg) formed.

Pediplain Inselberg Pediplain thought to be produced by coalescence of several pediments

Pediment

Pediment

Slope replacement theory of Penck deals with the cutting back of steeper slope and down cutting of gentler slope. The steeper slope gets replaced by the gentler slope from below. The theory was originated with the cycle of erosion of Penck. Slope replacement theory explains the evolution of the slope and subsequent transformation from steeper slope to gentle one.

STEP-I: Simultaneous action of Endogenetic and Exogenetic forces on Earths Surface

STEP-II: Stage of gradual uplift

STEP-III: Massive back cutting on the steeper slope occurs along the slip face

STEP-I: Eroded material deposited at the foothill and leads to replacement of earlier steeper slope (at A) by the gentler slope thus formed by the deposited material at the foothill

STEP-I: Further erosion by back-cutting parallel to the original slope.

Point of rotation

STEP-I: Fresh deposition of eroded material at the foothill leads to further replacement of steeper slope (at B) by gentle one from below

STEP-I: Further influence of exogenetic forces leads to the formation of endrumpf like pediplain with residual hills called Inselberg

Endrumf Inselberg Slope replacement is a combine effect of parallel retreat on the uphill slope and slope decline on the down hill side