Question

Small or even large mountainous areas that have had long droughts or who have had many wildfires are prone to mudslides because many plants are destroyed during those processes. Mudslides are when large amounts of water accumulate rapidly in the soil in mountainous areas. The soil becomes over saturated with water and gravity causes the water-soaked soil to “run down” the mountain in a river like behavior. Without plants and their root systems to hold the soil in place, the soil gets washed away during rail storms. Which natural process causes these mudslides and washes away the soil?

Answer 1

My best guess would be erosion! This is because erosion is the process by which materials are worn away and transported by natural forces, as in this example (water). The example describes plants being worn away and due to drought, however with no plants there’s nothing to hold the soil in place. In addition water causing mudslides washing away the soil would be erosion.