geology and geomorphology of the prairies

Question 1

geology

Answer 1

study of the earth over geologic time which includes interior, exterior, minerals, rock formation processes, and past present and future changes

Question 2

geologic time scale (biggest to smallest)

Answer 2

• eons: we are in the phanerozoic
• era: we are on the cenozoic era
• period: we are in the quaternary period
• epoch: we are on the holocene epoch

Question 3

geomorphology

Answer 3

the scientific study of the morphology of the surface of the earth and the processes operating on it in the present, past and future

Question 4

morphologists are concerned with

Answer 4

• the shape composition and topological characteristics of landforms
• formation, occurance, and nature of the processes responsible for creating landforms

Question 5

what are the two highest % of minerals in the earths crust

Answer 5

oxygen (47%)
silicon (28%)

Question 6

sedimentary rock process

Answer 6

1. rock fragments are created by chemical processes and weathering
2. mass wasting (move downslope)
3. transported slowly down rivers or streams
4. deposition usually occurs in a body of water
5. lithification - sediments are compacted together to form a new rock

Question 7

three classes of sedimentary rock

Answer 7

1. clastic
2. chemical
3. organic

Question 8

what is a clastic sedimentary rock

Answer 8

contains mineral fragments derived from any of the three major rock groups ex. shale

Question 9

chemical rock? how

Answer 9

formed from thick deposits of mineral compounds that accumulate ex. limestone which forms from calcium carbonate

Question 10

what is an organic rock

Answer 10

consists of carbon based materials that accumulate in thick deposits at the surface and then get buried by other sediments

Question 11

three major geologic developments

Answer 11

1. formation of the shield
2. formation of mountains from sediments that accumulated in basins
3. deposition of sediments in shallow parts of the intervening area

Question 12

who is bruce

Answer 12

a mosasour from around the cretaceous period, was the largest in the world for this time period and was over 13 meters in length

Question 13

three key elements that make up a physiographic region

Answer 13

• extends over a large area
• landforms have been shaped by a common set of geomorphic processes
• common geologic structure and history

Question 14

first prairie level - the Manitoba plain

Answer 14

surfaces modified from glaciers with some low plateaus and consist mainly of limestone and dolomite

Question 15

second prairie level - Saskatchewan plain

Answer 15

dominated by the effects of glaciation, slightly elevated areas corresponds to low domes in the cretaceous rock below