Geomorphology

Question 1

Define “weathering”.

Answer 1

The breakdown of rocks by climate, chemicals, plants, and animals.

Question 2

Explain the process of freeze-thaw weathering.

Answer 2

1. Water collects in a crack in the rock.
2. Water freezes, cause crack to widen.
3. Ice thaws, contracts, and goes deeper.
4. Cracks until it splits by repeated expansion and contraction.

Question 3

Explain the process of onion-skin weathering.

Answer 3

1. Rock is repeatedly heated and cooled.
2. As it’s heated, the outer layer of the rock expands slightly.
   3, As it cools, it contracts.
3. Continual expansion and contraction cause small pieces of the rock surface to peel off like the skin of an onion.

Question 4

Explain the process of biological weathering.

Answer 4

1. Seeds fall into a crack in the rock.
2. Moisture helps seeds grow.
3. As the roots develop, they force the cracks to widen.
4. Rock splits.

Question 5

Explain the process of chemical weathering.

Answer 5

1. Rainwater attacks rock.

2. Causes rock to rot and crumble.

Question 6

Define “erosion”.

Answer 6

The wearing away of rock and its removal by streams, ice, waves, and wind.

Question 7

Define “transportation”.

Answer 7

The movement of weathered materials from one place to another.

Question 8

Define “deposition”.

Answer 8

The laying down/dropping off of materials by wind, ice, sea, rivers.

Question 9

How do rivers shape the land?

The river ________ boulders, stones, and rock particles along the river course.
The loose material ________ the river bed and banks, and _______ other material.
Much of what is worn away is then ________ by the river and then _________ somewhere.

Answer 9

1. Pushes.
2. Scrapes.
3. Loosens.
4. Moved.
5. Dropped.

Question 10

What causes waterfalls?

Answer 10

Many waterfalls are the result of water wearing away soft rock more quickly than hard rock. As a waterfall erodes back, a gorge may be formed.

Question 11

The outsude of a river bend is ______ away by _______, while the inside is ______ up by _________.

Answer 11

1. Worn.
2. Erosion.
3. Built.
4. Deposition.

Question 12

Define “floodplain”.

Answer 12

Flat land at the bottom of a river valley.

Question 13

Define “meander”.

Answer 13

A large bend in a river.

Question 14

Define “alluvium”.

Answer 14

Fine material left behind after a river flood.

Question 15

How do sea arches form?

Answer 15

1. The sea attacks small cracks and opens them.
2. The cracks get larger and develop into a small cave.
3. The cave wears right through and forms an arch.

Question 16

How do spits form?

Answer 16

Erosion takes place at Flamborough Head. Eroded material is transported down coast by the current. Deposition takes place where the coastline changes direction at Spurn Head. The spit grows about from the coast and extends from 6km.

Question 17

Define “spit”.

Answer 17

A narrow feature of sand, shingle, or rock along a coastline.

Question 18

Define “tombolo”.

Answer 18

A spit that connects an island to the mainland.