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DESERTS > Geomorphological Processes In Deserts > Flashcards

Geomorphological Processes In Deserts Flashcards

1
Q

What is weathering?

A

The breaking down or decaying of material where it is (in situ)

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2
Q

What is chemical weathering?

A

Where rock breaks down through the addition of chemicals

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3
Q

What is an example of chemical weathering?

A

Carbonation

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4
Q

What is mechanical weathering?

A

Where rock breaks down into smaller fragments but no chemical change

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5
Q

What is biological weathering?

A

A combination of chemical and mechanical weathering involving animals and plants

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6
Q

What is mass movement?

A

The movement of material down a slope due to gravity

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7
Q

What is saltation?

A

Smaller particles bounce along the bed

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8
Q

What is traction?

A

Large particles in water roll or slide along the bottom

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9
Q

What is suspension?

A

Even finer grains do not touch the bed

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10
Q

What is Solution?

A

Material is dissolved (In water only)

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11
Q

What is abrasion?

A

Where the Earth’s surface is worn away by the material being dragged across it

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12
Q

What is attrition?

A

When rocks knock against each other. Break each other down into smaller and rounded rocks

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13
Q

What does capacity mean in terms of deserts?

A

How much sediment can be carried by a particular process

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14
Q

What reduces the capacity of the wind or water currents?

A

Any loss of energy

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15
Q

Why is biological weathering much more important in the past?

A

Since there was evidence of it happening

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16
Q

What is thermal fracturing?

A

During the day, rocks expand when its hot and contract at night when its cold.

17
Q

What do thermal expansion and contraction occurring at different rates and different parts of the rock lead to?

A

Fractures

18
Q

What is salt weathering caused by?

A

Saline (salty) water

19
Q

Where does saline water come from?

A

Rainfall or groundwater that’s drawn up by evaporation

20
Q

What does the saline water do to cause salt crystals to form?

A

Enters pores or cracks and the high temperature causes the water to evaporate and form salt crystals

21
Q

What happens in salt weathering as the crystals form?

A

They expand and put pressure on the rocks

22
Q

What happens as more evaporation occurs to the salt crystals?

A

Expand even more and causes pieces to fall off due to pressure

23
Q

Where does freeze-thaw weathering/frost shattering occur?

A

In areas where there is moisture and temperature that fluctuates above and below freezing

24
Q

What is freeze-thaw weathering/frost shattering?

A

When water from rainfall enters the joints and cracks in rock

25
Q

What happens at night for freeze-thaw weathering/frost shattering?

A

Temp drops and water freezes and expands

26
Q

What happens as freeze-thaw weathering/frost shattering occurs over time?

A

Weakens the rocks causing pieces to fall off

27
Q

What are 3 forms of chemical weathering?

A

Hydration
oxidation
Carbonation

28
Q

What is hydration in terms of chemical weathering?

A

When moisture combines with minerals in rocks

29
Q

What happens when the moisture combines with the minerals in rocks?

A

This causes them to swell which puts pressure on rocks and this causes pieces to crack off.

30
Q

What is oxidation in terms of chemical weathering?

A

When rocks containing iron are exposed to oxygen in air or water.

31
Q

What happens when rocks containing iron are exposed to oxygen?

A

Forms iron oxide which is weak and causes the rock to crumble easily

32
Q

What is carbonation in terms of chemical weathering?

A

When CO2 in the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater forming a weak carbonic acid.

33
Q

What happens when CO2 dissolves into rainwater forming a weak carbonic acid?

A

This acid reacts with the rocks that contain calcium carbonate so the rocks are gradually dissolved.

DESERTS (6 decks)

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