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What is the Definition of Creep?

What is the Definition of Creep?

Creep refers to the slow, gradual movement of materials such as soil, rocks, or glaciers due to mechanical processes, such as gravity or pressure. It is a form of mass wasting and can occur over long periods of time.

Label: Geography
Theme: Dictionary of Geography Terms

Read other Article: What is the Definition of Conservation?


Creep as Noun

Creep is a noun that describes the slow, gradual movement of materials due to mechanical processes.

Creep as Adjective

Creep does not function as an adjective.

Creep Synonyms

  • Gradual movement
  • Slow flow
  • Surface creep
  • Material displacement
  • Mass wasting

Examples of Creep in Sentence

  1. The slow creep of the glacier reshaped the valley over centuries.
  2. The creep of soil on the slope caused the fence to tilt gradually.
  3. Coastal erosion is exacerbated by the creep of sand along the shore.
  4. Creep can be observed in the gradual movement of tectonic plates.
  5. Creep is a common phenomenon in landslides, where soil slowly moves downslope.
  6. The creep of the ice sheet created deep crevasses in the polar region.
  7. Long-term monitoring revealed the creep of the rock formation in the quarry.
  8. Engineers study the creep of building materials to ensure structural stability.
  9. Creep is an important factor to consider in geotechnical engineering projects.
  10. The slow creep of the lava flow covered the surrounding landscape over time.

Translates of Creep

Language Translation Pronunciation
Mandarin Chinese 蠕动 (Rúdòng) ru2 dong4
Spanish Desplazamiento lento des-pla-za-mien-to len-to
English Creep kree-p
Hindi धीमी आगे बढ़ना (Dheemi aage badhna) dhe-mee aa-ge badh-na
Arabic زحف (Zahf) za-hf
Bengali চিমণি (Chimoni) chi-mo-ni
Portuguese Rastejamento ras-te-ja-men-to
Russian Крип (Krip) krip
Japanese クリープ (Kurīpu) ku-rii-pu
Punjabi ਮੇਥੇ ਚਲਦਾ (Mēthē caladā) me-the cha-la-da
German Kriechen kree-chen
French Fluage flwaj
Korean 크립 (Keurip) keu-rip
Italian Strisciamento stri-sha-men-to
Turkish Sürünme su-ruen-me

5 FAQS About Creep


What are the causes of creep?

Creep can be caused by factors such as gravity, pressure, freeze-thaw cycles, and the presence of water. These forces gradually deform and displace materials, leading to creep.

Where can creep occur?

Creep can occur in various environments, including slopes, riverbanks, glaciers, and permafrost regions. It is a common process in geology and geomorphology.

What are the effects of creep?

Creep can result in the gradual alteration of landscapes, the displacement of structures, and the formation of geological features such as terraces and slope scars.

How is creep different from landslides?

While both involve the movement of materials, creep occurs gradually and often imperceptibly, while landslides are rapid and often catastrophic events characterized by sudden movement and mass displacement.

Can creep be prevented or controlled?

Creep is a natural geophysical process, and its prevention or control is challenging. However, measures such as slope stabilization techniques and engineering designs can be employed to mitigate its impact on infrastructure.


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  • Thank you for reading this article about the definition of creep. Creep refers to the slow, gradual movement of materials due to mechanical processes. It can occur in various environments and is influenced by factors such as gravity and pressure. Creep plays a significant role in shaping landscapes and has implications for engineering and geology. If you have any more questions about creep, feel free to explore our website for further information.