Gr.11 Geomorphology π Flashcards
What is topography?
The shape or relief of the land
What does the structure of rocks determine ?
The type of landforms and therefore the landscape of an area
What are horizontal rock layers called?
Strata/ stratified rock
What are bedding planes?
The planes separating horizontal rock layers.
What is the difference between exogenic forces and endogenic forces?
Exogenic forces: originate at the earthβs surface and decrease relief by, e.g. weathering and erosion.
Endogenic forces: originate within the earthβs surface and increase the relief, e.g. uplift
What does it mean if rock is uniformly resistant to erosion?
Rocks erode at the same rate.
What are 4 horizontally layered rock formations?
Hilly landscapes
Basaltic plateaus
Canyons
Karoo landscape
Which is more resistant: dolerite or basalt?
Why?
Dolerite. It cools slowly underground. Basalt cools faster on the earthβs surface
What are the 2 types of hilly landscapes that may form?
Series of rounded slopes
Hills with narrow gullies and sharp ridges (called badlands)
What causes rounded slopes? Give an example
Humid climates: sheet wash occurs and removes the surface material.
Eg. Valley of 1000 Hills, KwaZulu-Natal
What is sheet wash?
Gushing run-off
What causes badlands? Give an example
Arid regions: sheet wash washes over slopes with little/ no vegetation. Erosion takes place quickly.
E.g. Death Valley, California
What is a basaltic plateau?
A lava plateau with steep cliffs.
Give an example of a basaltic plateau
The Drakensberg
What causes a basaltic plateau to form?
Upward movement of the earthβs crust
Or fissures forming and magma welling up to surface over a long time
How do basaltic plateaus erode?
Vertical joints and cracks in the basalt erode to from deep cliffs
Why does a plateau have a flat top?
Lava pours onto the surface of the earth. This forms a hard cap rock which is uniformly resistant to erosion.
What is another name for a canyon?
A gorge
How does erosion take place in a canyon landscape?
Water finds weak places in layers and erodes vertically. The more resistant the layers, the steeper the slopes.
How do canyon landscapes differ in different climates?
Dry regions: steep, rugged, cliff-like slopes
Wet regions: hilly with more vegetation
Give an example of a canyon landscape
Fish River Canyon, Blyde River Canyon, Grand Canyon
Decide into resistant and less resistant to erosion:
Sandstone, shale, clay, granite, limestone, quartzite
Resistant: sandstone, granite, quartzite
Less resistant: shale, clay, limestone
Out of what do Karoo landscapes develop?
Canyon landscapes
Describe the rock in a Karoo landscape
Resistant hard layer (sill) such as dolerite on top of layers of sandstone and softer shale. Flat topped hills and wide, flat plains
What is a mesa?
A flat-topped table mountain wider than it is high
What is a butte?
A flat-topped hill higher than it is wode
What is a pointed butte?
A narrow hill with a sharp peak
What is a conical hill?
A small, pointed hill
Know how to draw and label a mesa, butte etc. π»On diagram sheet
πΊ
Who βdiscoveredβ scarp retreat?
King
What are 2 other names for scarp retreat?
Parallel retreat/ scarp recession
Where does scarp retreat occur?
In semi-arid regions
What is scarp retreat?
Initially a river erodes into an uplifted landmass. As back washing occurs, the landform retreats on itself. This occurs with stratified rock where the layers of rock are of a different resistance to the cap rock. The pediment becomes a large, flat pediplane.
Who βdiscoveredβ slope decline?
Davis
Where does slope decline occur?
In humid climates
What is slope decline?
Rivers erode into uplifted landmasses to form steep slopes. As water rushes down the slope, it becomes less steep until itβs almost flat (peneplane). The upper convex slope becomes concave.