4.1 - Terrain analysis and geomorphology Flashcards
Geomorphology
The study of landforms, their processes, form, and sediments at the surface of the earth
Terrain analysis
The process or identifying and interpreting the significance of terrain and its features
Importance of Geomorphology/Terrain analysis
- stability of slopes
- flooding potential
- drainage conditions
Remote sensing
Acquiring information about an object without touching the object itself
Specular refelction
reflector is flat like a mirror
Diffuse reflection
reflection off of rough surfaces
Moisture in soil does what to reflection?
Decreases it
Visual image interpretation
- Applied to aerial photographs
- Form a detailed record of features on the ground at the time of acquisition
Applications of terrain analysis
- Water studies
- geologic mapping
- soil mapping
- environmental impact studies
Mass wasting
The downslope movement of material under the direct influence of gravity
Mass Wasting - Falls
Material falls through the air
Mass wasting - Slides
Material moves as a coherent mass along a surface with little or no internal motion within the mass
Mass wasting - flows
Material has internal movement, like a fluid when it moves
Creep
very slow flow
rock fall
Very fast vertical fall