Which statement is incorrect regarding the reasons water is a major factor in mass wasting?

Water plays a significant role in mass wasting, which describes the movement of soil and rock down a slope due to gravity. One of the essential characteristics of water, particularly in the context of freezing, is that it expands when it freezes. This expansion can exert pressure on surrounding materials, contributing to their disintegration and making them more susceptible to movement.

When water freezes, it occupies a larger volume than it does in its liquid state. This expansion can contribute to the destabilization of slopes and the loosening of soil and rock. Conversely, if water were to contract when freezing, it would not cause the same level of disruption to the soil structure, which could result in increased stability rather than mass wasting.

Additionally, water impacts sediment cohesion and can vary the stability of soil. When moisture levels are optimal, water helps bind the particles together, enhancing stability. However, excess water can lead to reduced cohesion, as it saturates the soil, which can increase pore pressure and decrease friction, facilitating mass wasting.

In summary, water's expansion upon freezing plays a crucial role in mass wasting dynamics by increasing the potential for soil and rock movement rather than contributing to stability. This makes the assertion that water contracts when freezing incorrect within this context.