Glaciation

Question 1

Explain how an igneous rock is formed and give examples

Answer 1

Igneous rocks form when hot, molten rock crystallizes and solidifies. The melt originates deep within the Earth near active plate boudaries or hot spots. Examples: Granite, Basalt

Question 2

Explain how a sedimentary rock is formed and give examples

Answer 2

Sedimentary rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth’s surface. Examples: Sandstone, limestone

Question 3

What is a metamorphic rock

Answer 3

Metamorphic rocks started out as another type of rock but have been substantially changed from their original form. They form due to high heat, pressure and hot mineral-rich fluids. Examples: Marble, quartzite

Question 4

What is a ‘glacial’ period?

Answer 4

A glacial period is an interval of time within an ice age that is marked by colder temperatures and glacier advances

Question 5

What is an ‘interglacial’ period?

Answer 5

An interglacial period is a period of warmer global average temperature lasting thousands of years.

Question 6

When did the last Ice Age begin and end in the UK?

Answer 6

The last ice age started around 110,000 years ago and ended around 10,000 years ago

Question 7

What might have caused the last ice age?

Answer 7

The Earth’s orbit around the sun and the tilt of the Earth.

Question 8

Describe the rocks types in Scotland

Answer 8

The lowlands are mainly sedimentary rock, the highlands are mainly Igneous and the majority of Scotland, and the islands are metamorphic

Question 9

What parts of the UK were glaciated?

Answer 9

The ice sheet reached southern England

Question 10

How does snow turn into ice?

Answer 10

Snow-Firn-Ice
Over time snow falls and becomes compact into a denser layer. After at least one year it is called firn. After another 25-40 years the firn turns into ice and the process repeats

Question 11

What is ‘abrasion’?

Answer 11

As a glacier flows downslope, it drags the rock, sediment, and debris in its base over the rock beneath it creating striations and other features.

Question 12

What is ‘plucking’

Answer 12

As the glacier moves down the slope of mountains the ice at the bottom plucks away loose rocks from the surface of slopes

Question 13

What is ‘freeze thaw’

Answer 13

Freeze-thaw is when water fills a crack in the rock and freezes to make the crack wider. The process repeats until the rock completely breaks apart.

Question 14

How does a corrie form

Answer 14

A corrie is an armchair-shaped hollow high on a mountain with steep back and side walls. Snow gathers in north-facing mountain hollows. This snow builds up and compacts to ice and the ice move downhill due to gravity leaving a hollow called a corrie.

Question 15

How does an arete form

Answer 15

An arete forms when two corries form back to back or side by side. The rock between them was plucked away to form a narrow ridge called an arete.

Question 16

How does a pyramidal peak form

Answer 16

A pyramidal peak forms when three or more corries are next to each other. The rock between them was plucked and weathered into a sharp point called a pyramidal peak.

Question 17

Where are ribbon lakes found

Answer 17

Ribbon lakes are found in U-shaped valleys.

Question 18

How are ribbon lakes formed

Answer 18

Ribbon lakes are formed when glaciers were able to erode more deeply elsewhere. When this happens the ice leaves a hollow which becomes a lake.

Question 19

What is a V-shaped valley

Answer 19

A V-valley is formed by erosion from a river or stream over time.

Question 20

What is a U-shaped valley

Answer 20

A U-shaped valley is formed when a glacier erodes a V-shaped valley. This leaves a straighter, wider and deeper valley

Question 21

What is a misfit stream

Answer 21

A misfit stream is a river that goes through a U-shaped valley after the ice has melted but the stream doesn’t fit the valley

Question 22

What is a truncated spur

Answer 22

Spurs of rock that jutted out into the valley were eroded to become truncated spurs

Question 23

What is a hanging valley

Answer 23

A hanging valley is a smaller side valley left ‘hanging’ above the main U-shaped valley

Question 24

What are glaciated upland land uses: Lake District

Answer 24

Sheep farming, forestation, dams, quarries, tourism

Question 25

What organisations protect the Lake District

Answer 25

National Park Authority, National Trust

Question 26

What do organisations do to help the Lake District

Answer 26

Repair paths, conserve national wildlife habitats, reduce traffic congestion

Question 27

What are some conflicts in the Lake District between tourists and farmers

Answer 27

Walkers leave gates open- Farmers display ‘keep gate closed’ signs
Dogs chase sheep- Park rangers are employed to prevent problems by encouraging responsible tourism
Stone walls are damaged- Voluntary bodies, such as the National Trust, protect areas by buying land and buildings, and maintaining walls and footpaths
Farmers may restrict access to walkers at certain times, eg lambing season- Park rangers liaise with different land users to minimise problems
Noise disturbs animals- Visitor centre staff aim to educate the public about the ‘Countryside Code/Outdoor Access Code’

Question 28

What are some conflicts in the Lake District between tourists and locals

Answer 28

Increased litter- National Parks have removed litter bins in the hope that people take their litter home
Traffic congestion at peak times impedes locals going about their daily business- One-way systems (Ambleside), pedestrianised areas (Keswick) and improved public transport have been introduced to reduce the effect of traffic congestion
Footpath erosion results in visual pollution in popular walking areas, eg on the mountain Helvellyn- National Park officers can build stone paths to reduce footpath erosion and put up signs to direct walkers along alternative routes
More noise and air pollution from increased traffic- Rail and bus services have been improved to reduce the number of cars in the national park
Services may close as second home owners are not permanent residents- Weekly vans providing services to small villages, eg mobile library