2b. Physical Geography of Europe

Question 1

Relief and geology of Europe

Answer 1

Glaciation = 2,000 years ago

North Sea only flooded 10,000 - 7,000 years ago. It was connected to mainland Europe beforehand

Coastlands emerged (glacial rebound) and submerged (Holocene sea-level rise) creating a variety of coastal landforms and altering coastal environments

Question 2

Climate of Europe

Answer 2

A large proportion of Europe experiences Cfb = warm temperate climates

Sufficient precipitation all months and warmest month <22 degrees. At least 4 months are >10 degrees

Question 3

Influence of the Atlantic

Answer 3

Cold winter, warmer summer wind moves in from the west and masses will receive more rain

Question 4

Soil of Europe

Answer 4

Soil essential to understand the distribution of species

Question 5

A horizon

Answer 5

Organic matter mixing with minerals

Question 6

B horizons

Answer 6

Organic enriched layer

Question 7

C horizons

Answer 7

Mineral layer

Question 8

Horizons

Answer 8

Progress to a lighter colour deep down as minerals have been washed out and found further down in the layers

Sometimes you only have A and C horizons ( look at slides)

NOT ALL SOILS HAVE HORIZONS

Question 9

Soil forming process

Answer 9

Climate and organisms acting on local geological surface

Question 10

Weathering, humus foundation

Answer 10

Dead plant material is decomposed and mixed in with the mineral soil, at low pH organic matter remains as litter

Question 11

Translocation

Answer 11

Eluviation of clay particles from the top soil with percolating water and illumination/re-deposition below

Question 12

Podzolization

Answer 12

Leaching of iron and aluminium oxides in acidic sandy soils, leaving behind a whitish layer, cemented b horizon with a black humus and red iron rich layer

Question 13

Gleying

Answer 13

Waterlogged soil layers with reduce oxygen availability, greyish-blue colour due to ferrous oxides, sometimes oxidised conditions leaving some parts of the soil red

Question 14

Peat formation

Answer 14

Accumulation of organic matter under permanently anaerobic and often acidic conditions

Question 15

Salinisation

Answer 15

Water rising to the surface through capillary action, leaving salt minerals behind after evapouration

Question 16

Local differences - catenas

Answer 16

soil profiles are linked together when traced down a sloped from the ridge line to the valley floor.

Soils change character according to the slope angle and drainage conditions

Question 17

Local differences - regosols

Answer 17

Thin soils with underlying parent materials very close to the soil. Slope towards the valley , the precipitation surplus can leach nutrients laterally or vertically