4.2 Physical and Human Processes Flashcards
Compare the weathering that is found in the Uplands and the Lowlands.
In the Uplands there is a greater prevalence of freeze-thaw weathering. This is due to the decrease in temperature, caused by a distance further away from the Equator. Freeze-thaw weathering is a type of weathering were water will drain into the cracks and joints of a rock and when the temperature drops below 4°C it will expand, this continual process will crack the rock.
In the Lowlands weathering types such as Biological and Chemical are much easier to find. Biological weathering is the process were roots (of plants and vegetation) and animals will burrow into rocks and over time this will cause the rocks to break apart. Chemical weathering is the process were toxic gases, such as Carbon Dioxide and Methane, are released as pollution and mix with atmospheric to create an acidic substance. When it rains this substance will dissolve alkali rocks, including Chalk and Limestone.
Compare the soil/rock movement processes in the Uplands and Lowlands.
In the Uplands rock movements, including rockfalls and landslides, are the most common. These movements are caused when the joints of these rocks become lubricated or are affected from freeze-thaw weathering and as a result the rock become unsupported and collapse.
In the Lowland Area it is much more likely you will see Soil Creep. This is a process were porous rocks, such as clay, become saturated and the joints weaken. This leads to material moving down a slope at a slow pace (usually 1-3 millimetres in a temperate landscape).
Compare misfit rivers and dry valleys (locations, characteristics and formation).
A misfit river will be found in the Uplands in a U-Shaped Valley. A glacier (during an Ice Age) will have eroded away a large portion of a V-Shaped Valley (at which a normal river is situated in the centre) and now there is a small river in the centre which had been frozen over during the Ice Age but is now back to a liquid state.
A dry valley will be found in the Lowlands, they were formed during previous Ice Ages rivers froze over. The water would have then travelled through the porous rock beneath the river (usually Chalk) and to this day it will travel through the porous rock.
Explain how glaciers affected both landscapes.
Glaciers had a much more noticeable affect in the Upland, they eroded and widened valleys and in some areas they left huge mountains, such as the Lake District. Glaciers were also responsible for creating the huge variety of relief found in the Upland Areas.
In the Lowlands the effect of glaciers is far less noticeable, although they created dry valleys the glacial meltwater had a more prominent effect. The glacial meltwater is responsible for turning the Wealden domed anticlime into a scarp and vale topography
Explain 2 ways humans have affected the Upland landscape.
In the Upland Area humans have capitalised on the steep embankments found in the high relief surroundings, since is land is not arable or fertile it is perfect for the keeping of livestock, such as goats and sheeps.
Humans have also created some sporadic settlements but they are spaced out and are usually built of local materials including rock and wood.
Explain 2 ways humans have affected the Lowland landscape.
Humans have utilises on the flat ground by building many settlements not only for human habitation but also for economic activity including ports, railways and roads. These settlements are also built out of local materials, such as clay and timber, and are situated close to agricultural land.
Humans have used this land for agricultural purposes, the arable soil has meant it is perfect to farm and the land can be irrigated easily too.
Compare which landscape (Upland/Lowland) has been affected more by humans.
The Lowland landscape has been affected the most by humans. The arable conditions has meant it is perfect for the growing of crops and the relatively flat land also means that it is a perfect environment for economic activity, it is much cheaper to build assets on flatter land. Lastly, the UK’s Lowland Area has more settlements and a greater population, again due to its increased accessibility, a result of the naturally flat landscape.
