Strip mining is an example of which type of human-induced mass wasting?

Strip mining is classified as scarification because it involves the removal of surface layers of soil and rock to access the mineral deposits beneath. This process alters the landscape significantly, often leading to a series of exposed and uneven surfaces that are characteristic of scarification.

Scarification refers to the disturbance of the land surface due to human activities such as mining, where the removal of vegetation and soil disrupts the natural sedimentary processes. In the context of strip mining, large areas are cleared and the topography changes dramatically, resulting in a scarred landscape. This type of mass wasting is primarily driven by human action, contrasting with other forms of mass wasting that can occur naturally, such as subsidence or slumping.

In contrast, subsidence involves the sinking or settling of the ground, typically due to factors like the drainage of underground water or the collapse of underground cavities. Slumping refers to the rapid downward movement of a mass of earth material, usually along a curved surface, and is often a result of gravity acting on a slope. Soil erosion is the removal of the top layer of soil due to various factors, including water or wind, but it does not specifically refer to the large-scale disruption caused by mining activities.

Thus, strip mining exemplifies scarification