4.1 Geology And UK Flashcards
Give a definition, approximate age, 3 examples and location in UK of igneous rocks
Are created by volcanic activity when magma or lava cools, forming rocks made of crystals that are usually hard.
Approximate age is 5 million years old.
3 examples: Basalt, Granite and Tuff.
Location in UK: The Scottish Highlands.
Give a definition, approximate age, 3 examples and location in UK of sedimentary rocks
Are formed of small particles that have been eroded, transported, and deposited in layers, or from the remains of plants and animals.
Approximate age is
3 examples: Limestone, Chalk and Clay.
Location in UK:
Compare metamorphic and igneous rock
Metamorphic rocks, formed by temperature and pressure changes inside the Earth. Igneous rock , formed by the cooling of magma (molten rock) inside the Earth or on the surface.
Compare the formation and characteristics of granite and carboniferous limestone
Granite is very resistant and forms upland landscapes. It has lots of joints (cracks) which aren’t evenly spread. The parts of the rock where there are more joints wear down faster. It is impermeable, it doesn’t let water through. This creates moorlands, large areas of waterlogged land and acidic soil, with low-growing vegetation.
Carboniferous limestone: Rainwater slowly eats away at limestone through carbonation weathering. Most weathering happens along joints in the rock, creating some features, e.g. limestone pavements (flat areas with deep weathered cracks), caverns and gorges. Limestone is permeable, so limestone areas also have dry valleys and resurgent rivers (rivers that pop out at the surface when limestone is on top of impermeable rock).
Compare the formation and characteristics of chalk and slate
Chalk forms escarpments (hills) in UK lowlands and cliffs at the coast. One side of the hill is usually steep and the other side is more gentle. Chalk is permeable, water flows through it and emerges as a spring where it meets impermeable rock.
Slate forms in layers creating weak planes in the rock. It is generally very hard and resistant to weathering but it is easily split into thin slabs. Slate often form rugged, upland landscapes. Slate is impermeable, which can lead to waterlogged and acidic soils.
Explain when and how active volcanoes shaped the uplands of the UK
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Explain how glacial erosion and deposition shaped the UK uplands
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Explain when and how sedimentary rock was formed across the UK Lowlands
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Explain how glacial deposition shaped the UK Lowlands
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Explain how scarp and vale topography forms in the UK Lowlands
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