🟢11 Isostacy Flashcards
Define Isostacy
The adjustment the earths crust undergoes as it sinks/rises up from the mantlw
Define Isostatic Readjustment
The sinking downwards of land due to the weight of ice
Define Isostatic Rebound
When land moves upwards following melting of ice sheets
Name 4 things that occur as impact of isostacy on fluvial processes
Rejuvenation
Knick Points
Incised Meanders
Paired Terraces
What is rejuvenation
When a river becomes youthful again
Explain river rejuvenation and why it happens
When theres a change in sea level compared to land level (caused by either falling sea level or rising land level)
River must adjust to new base level
Erosion of river channel starts in lower stage and works backwards up along the channel until the profile is completed.
Give example of where knick points can b found
River Barrow Co.Killenny
Give an example of where incised meanders can b found
River Barrow Co.Carlow
Give an example of where paired terraces can b found
River Barrow Co.Kilkenny
What are knick points
Changes in slope along a river profile
Marks the point of change in the rivers profile
Very marked knick point can form a waterfall
What are Incised meanders
Meander thats been eroded deep into the landscape
Rejuvenation causes vertical erosion on meanders which then causes them to be incised into the landscape
-Entrenched
-Ingrown
What are the 2 types of incised meanders
-Entrenched
-Ingrown
What are entrenched meanders
Steep slopes on both sides
Vertical erosion is so rapid that theres not enough time for lateral erosion to take place
What are ingrown meanders
Outer bend has steep slope, Inner bend has gentle slope
Slower rate of vertical erosion allows lateral erosion to occur
What are paired terraces
In mature stage, rivers develop floodplains
With rejuvenation, vertical erosion incises it into the flood plain
Lateral erosion creates a new floodplain
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\______/ <- PT VS normal->. \______/