Geomorphology Flashcards
Landslides
A large mass of land breaks loose and plunges down a slope
Rockfalls
Tock fragments fall to the bottom of the slope
Mudflow
Streams of mud flow down a steeper slope in definite channels
Soil creep
A very slow continuous movement of soil down a slope
Solifluction
Top soil becomes saturated and slides on the frozen ground beneath it
Earthflow
Occurs when clay soul particles, saturated with water, move down a slope with a fairly gentle gradient
Mass movements
Downward movement if weathered materials such as soil, stones and rocks on a slope as a result of the force of gravity
Peneplain
A nearly flat plain formed by erosion of slopes in a humid environment
Down wasting
Erosion of the land mass in such a way that landforms become lower over time
Pediplain
A nearly flat plan formed as canyon floors become wider, usually in an arid environment
Back wasting
Erosion of the land mass in such a way that landforms become narrower
Parallel retreat
Erosion of a scarp slope causes loss of ground over the whole face of the slope, but no loss of height
Sheetflow
Rainwater flows over a slope in a sheet
Crest
Small convex slope element at the top if the slope
Freeface
Slope element greater than 80* to the horizontal
Talus
Slope at the base of a hill consisting of weathered material
Scree
Weathered material at the base of the slope
Pediment
Slope element with a low angle, concave shape
Knickpoint
Sharp change in gradient
Endogenic forces
Forces operating deep underground, folding
Exogenic forces
Forces operating above the Earth’s surface, erosion and deposition
Primary slopes
Slopes formed by crustal forces, faulting
Primary erosion slopes
Slopes which have formed from erosion, a gorge eroded by a river
Secondary erosion slopes
Primary slopes or primary erosion slopes that have been eroded
Tor
Exposed granite blocks made up of core stones
Core stones
Granite boulders left after surrounding rock has weathered