Land and Water, Tectonic Landscapes Flashcards
What are two main types of geological processes?
- Endogenic
- Exogenic
Endogenic processes
Processes occuring in the Earth’s interior (mostly tectonic processes)
What are the three main elements of the Earth’s internal structure?
- Core: Highest density material
- Mantle: Convection due to internal heat source
- Crust: Upper skin, light bouyant rock
Continental drift
The movement of continents relative to each other. Evidence from fossil records and shared species
What are the three types of plate boundaries?
- Divergent fault: Two plates diverging
- Convergent fault: Two plates coverging (subduction)
- Transform fault: The horizontal movement of two plates relative to one another
Volcanic hotspots
An area of the Earth’s surface directly above a mantle plume. The plume is stationary but the tectonic plate continues to move above it
What are the two types of igneous activity?
- Extrusive
- Intrusive
Extrusives
Rapidly cooling, small, glassy cystals above the Earth’s surface. Forms volcanic rock
Intrusives
Slow cooling, large crystals below the Earth’s surface. Form plutonic rock
Exogenic processes
Processes occuring on the Earth’s surface (mostly denudational). Includes environmental modifaction processes
What are the three mutual interactions between endogenic and exogenic processes?
- Uplift
- Position and type
- Former phases
Mutual interaction of uplift
Uplift creates relief which enhances the operation of surface processes
Mutual interaction of positon and type
Position relative to a plate margin (and the type of plate margin). Determines location for where surface processes can occur
Mutual interaction of former phases
Contemporary environments retian a unique history of tectonic activity and downwearing
Isostatic adjustment
High magnitudes of erosion promote uplift, thus restoring the reduction in elevation
Steady-state (equilibrium) landscapes
The balance between erosion and uplift
Why is New Zealand an active margin, and what landforms result?
New Zealand is located on two separate tectonic plates, the Australian and Pacific Plate, the latter of which is being subducted by the former. As a result, New Zealand’s landforms differ significantly between the North and South Island (mountain ranges and volcanoes vs glaciers and braided rivers)
Why is Australia a passive margin?
Australia has a very subdued topography due to its central location in the Australian Plate with little uplift and continuous erosion
