Key Terms

Question 1

Landscape

Answer 1

The visible features of an area include:
· natural elements of landforms (such as mountains, valleys, coastlines) and water bodies (such as rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans)
· living elements of land cover (including vegetation and wildlife)
· human elements (including different forms of land use, buildings, and structures)
· changeable elements (such as weather conditions)

Question 2

Landform

Answer 2

• The shape (morphology) and character of the land surface that results from the interaction of physical processes
• e.g. dunes, canyons, beaches

Question 3

Sustainability

Answer 3

Sustainability is the practice of using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations.

Question 4

Tectonic processes

Answer 4

• Tectonic processes are continental movements, faulting and folding, and volcanic activity
• Causes the movement of land

Question 5

Gradational processes

Answer 5

• Gradation is the process by which the earth’s surface gets leveled
• The processes in gradation are erosion, transportation, weathering, mass wasting, and deposition

Question 6

Mountain

Answer 6

• Mountain landscapes are formed by tectonic plates on the Earth’s surface pushing against each other
• This movement and pressure causes the shape of the land to change
• The land is pushed up in a vertical direction and over time forms mountains
• e.g. Mount Fuji

Question 7

Human activity

Answer 7

• Human geography involves the study of all human activities and their impact on the natural environment
• Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation

Question 8

Geomorphic processes

Answer 8

• Geomorphic processes are the physical and chemical interactions between the Earth’s surface and the natural forces acting upon it to produce landforms
• Plate tectonics, chemical weathering, and physical weathering are the major geomorphic processes

Question 9

Erosion

Answer 9

The process by which the surface of the earth is worn and transported away by the action of water, ice, wind, and waves

Question 10

Volcano

Answer 10

Volcanoes are openings or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth’s surface.