geomorphic processes involved in the formation of glaciers

Question 1

what are the two geomorphic processes involves in the formation of glaciers

Answer 1

weathering and mass movement

Question 2

what are the three types of weathering

Answer 2

physical, chemical, biological

Question 3

what is physical weathering

Answer 3

the weathering of rock is largely achieved by physical processes which involve a rock being broken down into smaller fragments

Question 4

what are two examples of physical weathering

Answer 4

• freeze thaw
• dilation (as melting causes the reduction of weight on underlying rock, gradually the rock expands and as it does so it fractures parallel to the surface)

Question 5

what is chemical weathering

Answer 5

the decay of rock will be a result of chemical weathering, a chemical reaction between a rock and elements of the weather

Question 6

explain three examples of chemical weathering

Answer 6

• oxidation , when a rock reacts with oxygen, iron is particularly vulnerable
• carbonation, when rainwater combines with dissolved co2 in the atmosphere, the carbon acid reacts with calcium carbonate
• solution is any process where a rock dissolves in water

Question 7

give two examples of biological weathering

Answer 7

• chelation, organic acids dissolving rocks

- tree rotes, tree roots growing into rocks and causing fractures

Question 8

why is biological weathering limited in glaciated regions

Answer 8

too cold for animals and plants to have significant impact

Question 9

what is mass movement

Answer 9

when the force acting on the slope exceeds the force keeping the material in place eg friction v gravity

Question 10

what are the two main processes of mass movement

Answer 10

rock fall and sliding