Both falls and slides are types of mass wasting or movement of materials down a slope due to gravity, but they differ in the mechanism by which they occur.
Falls occur when rock or soil material breaks away from a steep slope or cliff and falls freely through the air before landing at the base of the slope. Falls can occur due to a variety of factors, including erosion, weathering, and seismic activity. Rockfalls, for example, are common in mountainous regions where steep slopes and loose rock are prevalent.
Slides, on the other hand, occur when a block of material moves downslope along a well-defined surface of weakness or failure, such as a fault line or a layer of slippery clay. Slides can occur as a result of heavy rainfall, melting snow, or other factors that increase the weight and pressure on a slope. There are different types of slides, such as rock slides, debris slides, and earth slides, depending on the type of material that is moving.
In summary, falls occur when material falls freely through the air, while slides occur when a block of material moves downslope along a surface of weakness or failure.
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