In the exogenous process of formation and sculpting of relief forms, in addition to the weathering, there is also the active force of morphogenetic processes. They represent the action of the external dynamics of the relief formation agents.
Morphogenetic processes are the result of two factors:
Regolito movements: In which there is a displacement of the material (soil or rock) as a function of the force of gravity, with water being the vector responsible for this force. The processes of creeping (creep or reptation) of the soil, soliflux and mud flows, landslides and landslides are known.
In most cases, it is linked to the amount of ground cover. Every beginning of the year, TV news broadcasts the occurrence of several landslides, landslides, etc., being responsible for the death of countless people. But we have to remember the following: hills and slopes are not suitable places for housing, as they are constantly subject to the aforementioned processes. The danger increases even more when its vegetation cover is removed.
Examples of regolith movement processes
Water runoff: in this case, there is a displacement of the material by the action of water. Water will be the only erosive agent of the soil and its transporter. There are three types of runoff: the splash effect (or saltitation), which is the mechanical action of the impact of raindrops on rocks and/or soil; diffuse water flow, also known as laminar erosion, in which the water flows in a dispersed way, not forming fillets (runoffs); and concentrated runoff, also known as linear erosion, is when water flows through irregularities in the terrain, forming several streams.
Relief modified by the Splash effect, of rainwater drops
Linear erosion can cause serious damage to the soil because, depending on its magnitude, it can reach the water table and cause the so-called gully.
Plant cover is also the main inhibiting agent for this type of morphogenetic process. To get an idea of its importance, in a forest there is an average loss of 4 kg of soil per year, while in a pasture area this loss is 700 kg of soil.
By Regis Rodrigues
Graduated in Geography
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/processos-morfogeneticos.htm
