Chalk & Clay Landscapes - South Downs Flashcards
What is the difference between a scarp slope and a dip slope?
Scarp slopes are steep
Dip slopes are more gentle and are normally used for sheep grazing
What is a clay vale?
A clay vale is a clay landscape between 2 chalk escarpments. These areas are flat and grow lush grass. It is an ideal area for cow farming
What is a wet point settlement?
A wet point settlement is a village that has been built where water emerges from the rock.
What is another name for a chalk escarpment?
Another name for a chalk escarpment is a cuesta
How are chalk escarpments formed?
Chalk escarpments start off as a flat landscape of chalk and clay. Over time the rivers weather the clay as it is the least resistant leaving a hill of chalk which is the chalk escarpment
Give an example of a chalk escarpment
Fulking, South Downs, southeast UK
Why is there little water on a chalk landscape?
There is little water on a chalk landscape because chalk is a pourus rock. This means it can hold water like a sponge
What is an Aquifer?
An Aquifer is an underground storage of water
Why do chalk/clay landscapes make great aquifers?
Chalk/clay landscapes make great aquifers because chalk is permeable and clay is impermeable so the chalk will hold the water but it will not pass through the clay
Give positive and negative reasons of getting water from an aquifer
Positive reasons:
The water is clean (not polluted)
Boreholes are sunk close to where water is needed
Long term supplies don’t dry up in short term droughts
Negative reasons:
Finite (limited) supply of water
The water used takes a long time to be replaced
People can not increase the storage capacity of an aquifer
Give 3 economic and land uses of a chalk and clay landscape (South Downs)
Possible answers:
Chalk is permeable. It holds water - perfect for aquifers
Encourages tourism
Clay vales provide lush grass which is perfect for dairy farming
Clay vales offer ground for horse racing tracks
Chalk provides short turf for sheep grazing
Chalk and clay are good building materials
Where are the South Downs?
The South Downs are located in the south east of the UK
