catabole

A catabole is a specific type of geological deposit formed by the downslope movement of rock and soil. This movement is typically driven by gravity. Cataboles encompass a broad range of mass wasting processes, from slow creep to rapid landslides. The material involved can vary greatly in size, from fine sediments to large boulders, and the deposits can be layered or chaotic depending on the nature of the slide.

The term "catabole" is often used in conjunction with other geological terms that describe specific types of mass wasting, such as rockfalls, debris flows, and earthflows. The resulting landforms can include talus slopes, alluvial fans, and debris aprons. The conditions that favor catabole formation include steep slopes, unstable geological formations, and triggers like heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or volcanic activity. Understanding cataboles is important for hazard assessment and land-use planning in mountainous or geologically active regions.