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Advanced Geomorphology > Chapter 1 - Earth's Dynamic Surface > Flashcards

Chapter 1 - Earth's Dynamic Surface Flashcards

1
Q

“Deep Time”

A

Geological time scale

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2
Q

How old is the Earth?

A

4.6 billion years

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3
Q

When life first appeared on Earth

A

3.5 billion years

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4
Q

Light Switch Theory

A

570 million years ago. An acceleration in an abundance in life attributed to the evolution of eyes

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5
Q

Anthropocene Epoch

A

New epoch defined by human impact on the Earth (identified by a radioactive signature). First nuclear explosion on July 16th 1945 at 5:45

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6
Q

Anthropocene Epoch

A

New epoch defined by human impact on the Earth (identified and dated by a radioactive signature). First nuclear explosion on July 16th 1945 at 5:45

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7
Q

Geomorphology

A

The study of the features on the Earth’s dynamic surface, their history and the processes that create them.

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8
Q

Geological Features

A
  1. Landscapes

2. Landforms

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9
Q

Landscapes

A

Larger scale feature that includes a number of different landforms (i.e. rivers system)

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10
Q

Landforms

A

Smaller scale feature, a natural feature of the earth’s surface. (i.e. point bar)

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11
Q

Tectonics

A

Movement of the Earth’s lithosphere

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12
Q

Endogenic

A

internal, generated from within

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13
Q

Exogenic

A

External, generated from the outside

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14
Q

Exogenic processes are driven by….

A

The Sun’s energy and the temperature gradient between the poles and the equator

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15
Q

Three systems we study in geomorphology

A

Geosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere

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16
Q

Geosphere

A

the rocks comprising the Earth’s crust and the global tectonic system that elevates the rocks that get sculpted into the topography

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17
Q

Isotasy

A

the equilibrium that exists between parts of the earth’s crust, which behaves as if it consists of blocks floating on the underlying mantle, rising if material (such as an ice cap) is removed and sinking if material is deposited.

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18
Q

Asthenosphere

A

the upper layer of the earth’s mantle, below the lithosphere

  • the part of the mantle which is not solid. a semi liquid
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19
Q

Example of Isostatic compensation

A

for example, as the surface of a mountain chain is eroded over the years, the crustal root rebounds and uplift occurs.

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20
Q

Example of Isostatic compensation

A

for example, as the surface of a mountain chain is eroded over the years, the crustal root rebounds and uplift occurs.`

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21
Q

Lithosphere

A

the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

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22
Q

Types of tectonic boundaries (plate margins)

A

Where plates meet

3 TYPES:

  1. Convergent
  2. Divergent
  3. Transform
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23
Q

Convergent boundary

A

Plates collide head on

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24
Q

Divergent boundary

A

Plates are moved apart

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25
Q

Transform boundary

A

Where plates are moving past each other in a side to side motion

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26
Q

Rock Types:

A

Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic

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27
Q

IGNEOUS ROCKS

A

Rocks formed directly from the cooling of magma

(e.g. basalt, granite).

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28
Q

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

A

Rocks formed from layers of debris compacted and lithified

(e.g. sandstone, mudstone, limestone,
Halite).

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29
Q

METAMORPHIC

A

Rocks whose minerals have become unstable in their environment and are changed into something new

(e.g. slate, schist, gneiss, and marble)

30
Q

Geomorphology draws on 4 different disciplines…

A

chemistry, biology, physics, geology

31
Q

Hydrosphere

A

oceans, atmosphere, and surface and subsurface waters that erode, transport and deposit sediment

32
Q

Earth’s lithosphere is divided into ___major & several minor
plates

A

Earth’s lithosphere is divided into 7 major & several minor
plates

33
Q

Four processes responsible for landform development (4)

A

MOVING WATER

MOVING AIR

MOVING ICE

GRAVITY

34
Q

Sediment

A

Fragments of rocks found on the Earth’s surface

35
Q

Why is sediment important

A

Provides us with a record of previous environments because:

  1. It is found in almost al environments on the Earth’s surface
  2. It records information about the environment in which it is found. (through weathering, transport, erosion, deposition)
  3. It contains evidence of life forms in the form of living and dead organisms (fossils)
  4. Sediment (and sedimentary rock) is found throughout the rock record)
36
Q

All systems try to reach an _______

A

equilibrium

37
Q

The geomorphology of Canada is dominated by….

A

glacial land forms left behind by glaciers and the last ice advance and retreat

38
Q

2 basic forces responsible for land form development

A

Gravity

Friction

39
Q

Sedimentary Texture

A

Refers to the physical characteristics of individual sediment grains.

40
Q

Sedimentary Texture

A

Refers to the physical characteristics of individual sediment grains.

41
Q

Roundness

A

A measure of how smooth or rough the surface of a grain is.

42
Q

Sphericity

A

A measure of how spherical a grain is. It is a measure of the shape of a grain.

43
Q

Sorting

A

The range of grain sizes in a sediment deposit.

44
Q

(Sedimentary Texture) Types of physical characteristics

A
  1. Grain Size
  2. Roundness
  3. Sphericity
  4. Sorting
45
Q

(Sedimentary Texture) Types of physical characteristics

A
  1. Grain Size
  2. Roundness
  3. Sphericity
  4. Sorting
46
Q

Rocks and minerals often have ___ common colours

A
  1. Black/dark

2. White/light

47
Q

Black/Dark rocks and minerals are typically

A

Mafic.

Higher density.

48
Q

White/Light rocks and minerals are typically

A

Felsic.

Lower density.

49
Q

Minerals will sometimes separate (move differently) because of differences in d_____

A

Minerals will sometimes separate (move differently) because of differences in density.

50
Q

Sedimentary Structure

A

A physical feature in sediment present because of a preferred arrangement of grains.

51
Q

Why is there turbulent flow?

A

Friction

52
Q

Vegetation zones (5)

A
  1. Grassland
  2. Temperate Forests
  3. Tropical Forest
  4. Desert/Arid
  5. Polar
53
Q

Geological characteristics of a GRASSLAND

A
  • Most of the biomass is underground.

- Dense root mass binds the sediment and soil together.

54
Q

Geological characteristics of a TEMPERATE FOREST

A
  • Large amounts of biomass are found above and below ground.
  • While sediment and soil are bound together the biomass
    above ground adds a significant amount of weight and possibly organic sediment.
55
Q

Geological characteristics of a TROPICAL FOREST

A
  • Most of the biomass is above ground.
  • There tends to be a shallower root zone.
  • Soil and sediment is less cohesive and more prone to erosion once vegetation is removed and the ground is exposed.
56
Q

Desert/Arid

A
  • Vegetation is often minimal (small and sparse)

- In this case even a small, isolated obstacle such as a plant can significantly affect sedimentary processes.

57
Q

Weathering

A

The disintegration of rocks and other minerals by physical and chemical means.

58
Q

Erosion

A

How sediment is set in motion.

59
Q

Transport

A

How sediment moves once it is set in motion.

60
Q

Deposition

A

How sediment stops moving.

61
Q

Precipitation

A

The formation of new mineral crystals from elements in solution

62
Q

Two basic forces responsible for landform development.

A
  1. Gravity

2. Friction

63
Q

Talk about the effect of small vegetation in an arid/desert zone

A

Will change how sediment is distributed. Deposition on the the downwind side, erosion on the upwind side as flow and velocity changes around the plant.

64
Q

All vegetation will act to trap ______

A

sediment

65
Q

Polar conditions

A

In northern Canada this includes freezing and thawing conditions.

66
Q

Polar conditions in the winter

A

Snow moves across the surface because of wind. In the presence of vegetation. In the presence of vegetation snow will accumulate on the ground.

Snow on the surface acts as an insulator preventing the ground from freezing or at least not freezing as much.

67
Q

Polar conditions in the summer

A

In summer the ground that was covered with snow undergoes more thawing while the area not covered in snow during winter is less thawed.

Therefore the area originally covered by snow in winter - because there was more vegetation - is more prone to erosion in the summer.

68
Q

Active Layer

A

the layer on permafrost that is subject to thawing.

69
Q

Basic Principles

A
  1. Uniformitarianism
  2. Actualism
    3.
70
Q

Uniformitatianism

A

The same processes operating on the Earth’s surface have been operating since the beginning of the Earth. These processes are generally slow. These processes should continue unchanged into the future.
The earth is very old.

71
Q

Actualism

A

The Earth operates, has operated and probably will continue to operate by slow, consistent processes that are periodically interrupted by catastrophic events.

Advanced Geomorphology (10 decks)

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