Geomorphology Flashcards
rock types
sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic
what are horizontal rocks of equal resistance
Hilly landscape, Basaltic Plateau
what are horizontal rocks of varying resistance
Canyons, karoo landscape
hilly landscape?
rounded hills where humid, eneven hills where dry
basaltic Plateau?
thick layer of solidified lava, drakensburg, deccan plateau (india)
Canyons?
Uplift and cutting down, steep slopes (hard rock), gentle slopes (soft rock).
Karoo Landscape?
mesa,butte,pointed butte,conicahill. erosion is backwards
What are the inclined rocks of varying resistance
cuesta, homoclinal ridge, hogback
Cuesta?
rock is tilted at less than 25 degrees to the horizontal
homoclinal ridge?
rock is tilted between 25 degrees and 45 degrees
Hogsback?
Rock is tilted at more than 45 degrees
explain how a Basaltic Plateau is formed
As the lava cools it wrinkles leaving joints (vertical cracks) in the Basalt. erosion occurs along joints resulting in a flat plateau with steep cliffs.
define the term rejuvenated
rivers get more energy, rivers then cut down (erode down) and you get a valley.
define a scarp slope
steep scarp slope, gentle rock
define a dip slope
gentle dip slope, hard rock
The order on inclined rock from most gentle to steep goes?
Cuesta, homoclinal ridge, hogsback
define intrusive volcanic features
magma that solidifies underground causes igneous rock to form.
What is a batholith?
a large dome shaped intrusion that forms low down in the crust, has no step. made up of granite.
what is a Laccolith?
smaller dome shaped intrusion connected to a pipe. forces sedimentary rocks to bend upwards. made up of granite and dolerite
What is a Lopolith?
saucer shaped intrusion, often forces sedimentry rocks to bend down. made up of granite.
what is a sill?
horizontal intrusion Parelell to rock layers. made up of dolerite.
What is a dyke?
Intrusions that cut across the layers of the rock. made up of dolerite.
What is a dome?
large rounded dome shaped mountain made up of granite.
how is a dome formed?
mechanical weathering exfoliation
Explain the term Mechanical weathering exfoliation
A granite batholith forms under ground. the batholith being igneous rock is harder than the surrounding sedimentry layers. the sedimentry layers erode faster exposing the granite dome to the surface. the weight from the overlying sedimentry rock releases pressure on the joints in the granite dome, causing peeling. exfoliation ( heating and cooling) of the rock causes it to peel off along the joints.
what is a tor?
large pile of rocks that balance on top of each other
How does a tor form?
magma pushes into dome shaped batholith and cools underground. due to depths of batholith the magma cools slowly creating many joints. these joints are attacked by chemical weathering whilst still underground. the joints are widened by continuous chemical weathering as water infiltrates underground creating rounds corestones. softer sedimentry layers are eroded exposing the corestones. the material inbetween corestones is removed by surfce
erosion. they develope a pile of rocks balancing on top of each other.