A rockfall is the fastest moving type of mass movement where rocks break away from the cliff face and fall, bounce or roll downslope. Rock falls are typical in areas that experience freeze-thaw mechanical weathering, which causes chunks of rock to lose contact with the cliff face and fall.

Mass movement is the downhill movement of sediment that moves because of gravity. There are four different types of mass movement: Bits of rock fall off the cliff face, usually due to freeze-thaw weathering. Saturated soil (soil filled with water) flows down a slope. Large blocks of rock slide downhill. Saturated soil slumps down a curved surface.