geography definitions (short questions)

Question 1

What is a peneplain?

Answer 1

an idealised flat or gently sloping landscape formed by erosion. It typically ends in a plain at sea level

Question 2

Moho Line

Answer 2

the boundary between the crust and the lithosphere

Question 3

what is meant by constructive waves

Answer 3

small low energy waves that break onto the shore of beaches. the backwash is weaker than the swash meaning material is added to the shore.

Question 4

wave refraction

Answer 4

As waves approach the shore, friction with the seabed causes them to bend and change direction.

Question 5

what is meant by the process of subduction

Answer 5

when two oceanic plates collide, the heavier plate sinks underneath the lighter one. the subducting plate melts further into the magma as the liquid is puling it downwards

Question 6

dormant volcano

Answer 6

a volcano that has not erupted in recent history but is likely to erupt in the future

Question 7

what is meant by permeable rock

Answer 7

water can get into the rock and erode it

Question 8

plucking

Answer 8

when water in a glacier melts and then refreezes around rock and then lifts and transports pieces of rock as the glacier moves

Question 9

explain briefly how glaciers move

Answer 9

Glaciers move downslope due to gravity. They move downwards by 2 processes; basal slide plastic flow. Basal slide occurs when pressure from the weight of the glacier melts a thin layer at the bottom acting as a lubricant for the glacier to move. Plastic flow occurs when overlying ice pushes down on the ice crystals creating horizontal layers. These layers creep past eachother with the top layers moving down first.