Landscapes of the UK Flashcards

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1
Q

What make up the earth’s crust?

A

The 3 main rock types
Metamorphic
Igneous
Sedimentary

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2
Q

What are the main rock types characterised by?

A

The different processes that formed them

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3
Q

Formation of sedimentary rocks

A

Formed of small particles that have been eroded, transported and deposited in layers (such as sandstone) or from the remains of plants and animals (such as limestone and chalk)

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4
Q

Sedimentary rocks characteristics

A
Less resistant 
Softer rocks 
Permeable 
More easily eroded that metamorphic or igneous 
Therefore work down more rapidly forming lowland landscapes 
No crystals
Contain fossils 
Form in layers
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5
Q

Formation of igneous rocks

A

Created by volcanic activity when magma or lava cools forming rocks made of crystals that are usually hard
Eg granite and basalt

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6
Q

Igneous rocks characteristic

A

More resistant
Harder
Impermeable
Contain crystals

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7
Q

Formation of metamorphic rocks

A

Layers of sedimentary rocks are so deep in the earths crust that they become exposed to huge heat and pressure which transforms them into metamorphic rocks
Eg shale compressed into slate or limestone transformed into marble

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8
Q

Characteristic of metamorphic rocks

A

Form in layers
Crystals
More resistant

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9
Q

What helped shape the geology and landscapes of today?

A

Millions of years ago Britain was close to plate boundaries

There were many active volcanoes and plate movements which caters massive folds and faults in the rocks and mountains

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10
Q

Example of a diverging plate boundary

A

50-60 million years ago, diverging plate boundaries caused Atlantic Ocean to open
Rising lava created Giant’s Causeway

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11
Q

Where are UK upland areas?

A

North Western areas- Northern Scotland (Cairngorms)
Lake District
North Wales (Snowdon)
Dartmoor in Devon

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12
Q

What are UK upland areas formed of?

A

Harder resistant rock which have eroded at a much slower rate

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13
Q

What created UK upland areas?

A

300 years ago tectonic processed caused molten magma under intense pressure to rise through Earth’s crust
Some magma reached surface as lava
Some cooled and solidified underground creating mounds of resistant rock
Less resistant rock surrounding mounds eroded leaving areas of high relief

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14
Q

How did lowland areas of the UK form?

A

250-350 million years ago when sediment fell to the sea floor creating sedimentary rocks

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15
Q

Where are lowland areas of the UK made from sedimentary rocks?

A

North and South Downs in south east England

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16
Q

What are the North and South Downs formed of?

A

Hills formed of chalk with even softer clay in the valleys between them

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17
Q

Area of the UK with metamorphic rocks

A

North West Scotland

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18
Q

An example of harder sedimentary rocks

A

Carboniferous limestone

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19
Q

How did Carboniferous limestone form?

A

250-350 million years ago when Britain was surrounded by warm tropical seas rich in plant and animal life
When the plants and creatures died, the calcium in their shells and skeletons built on layers on the seabed
Formed limestone made of calcium carbonate

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20
Q

When did Dartmoor form?

A

290 million years ago when a massive dome of magma developed underground

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21
Q

How did Dartmoor’s famous tors form?

A

As the magma dome cooled and contracted it formed granite
Cracks known as joints developed
Weaker joints made the rock vulnerable to freeze thaw weathering which caused fragments of rock to become detached
Over time, as the granite become exposed on the surface, erosion and mass movement processes like slumping removed the broken up granite
Blocks of rock with fewer joints are left behind and the largest blocks are left standing

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22
Q

Example of Dartmoor’s famous tors

A

Bowerman’s Nose

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23
Q

What are the tors surrounded by?

A

Clitter slopes covered in smaller rocks

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24
Q

Why do the tors continue to change?

A

The influence of freeze thaw and chemical weathering

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25
Q

What are cracks in rocks known as?

A

Joints

26
Q

Where is Malham? What is its geology?

A

The Yorkshire Dales

Limestone

27
Q

What does Malham show?

A

How the Carboniferous limestone rocks and physical processes interact to create cliffs, deep gorges, valleys, waterfalls and unusual limestone pavements

28
Q

What is one distinctive landform of Malham?

A

Malham Cove

A high limestone cliff shaped like an amphitheatre

29
Q

How did the Middle Craven Fault in Malham form? Why does it have a rounded face?

A

Over millions of years, earth movements caused the large Middle Craven Fault to form with softer rock slipping, creating a line of limestone cliffs
The cliffs eroded to their current position when at the end of the last ice age 15,000 years ago, melting water from glaciers created a massive waterfall
The combination of water flowing over the cove, as well as erosion, weathering and mass movement processes created the rounded face seen today

30
Q

Limestone pavement

A

A layer of limestone made with blocks with horizontal lines (planes) and vertical cracks (joints)

31
Q

What happens when rainwater passes through lines of weakness in limestone pavements?

A

It causes a chemical reaction which enlarges the joints and bedding planes

32
Q

What does the widening and deepening of planes and joints on the surface of limestone pavements cause?

A

Cracks on the surface to form grykes, exposing blocks of limestone called clients, creating the pavement

33
Q

Where are limestone pavements in Malham?

A

Along the top of Malham Cove

34
Q

What has created the limestone pavements along the top of Malham Cove?

A

The unique structure of Carboniferous limestone

35
Q

When were the North and South Downs created?

A

75 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period

36
Q

How were the North and South Downs created?

A

Around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period, Britain was covered by warm, tropical seas which resulted in marine deposits which created the chalk foundations for the North and South Downs
30 million years ago, large earth movements caused the compacted layers of sediment to be forced upwards, creating a giant chalk covered dome
Over many years, water eroded the chalk. The North and South Downs formed from the remaining chalk at the edges of the dome. The softer rocks at the centre of the dome were removed due to erosion
The two escarpments of the North and South Downs are left

37
Q

What do the South Downs escarpments consist of?

A

The steep scarp slope and the dip slope where the slope is gentler

38
Q

What formed in the North and South Downs during the last ice age due to weathering and erosion?

A

V shaped dry valleys
Distinct hilltops
Ridges

39
Q

National Park

A

An area of countryside, or occasionally sea or fresh water, protected by the state for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife

40
Q

What % of the South Downs is farmed?

A

85%

41
Q

How many farm businesses are there in the South Downs?

A

1100

42
Q

What is the chalk grassland in the South Downs ideal for?

A

Grazing sheep and training racehorses because the grass is short and rich in nutrients

43
Q

What is clay grassland ideal for?

A

Dairy cows due to longer grass length

44
Q

Where are the deeper soils found?

A

South facing lower slopes of the South Downs

45
Q

What are deeper soils ideal for?

A

Arable farming like wheat, barley and vine cultivation

46
Q

Advantages of farming on the South Downs

A

Income generated supports local economy
Arable farming has contributed towards supporting rare bird species on the Downs eg skylarks and grey partridge
Formation of hedgerows and field margins has led to wildlife corridors for bats

47
Q

% of employment that agricultural businesses accounts for on the South Downs

A

Agricultural businesses account for 6% of employment in the park

48
Q

Disadvantages of farming on the South Downs

A

Decline in arable farming and changes in farming have reduced the presence of arable plants which had damaged the wildlife habitats
Significant decline in chalk grassland from use of chemicals in farming
Decline of traditional practices which as extensive sheep grazing has led to scrub encroachment in the remaining chalk grassland

49
Q

What types of woodland are in the South Downs?

A

Deciduous

Coniferous

50
Q

What % of the South Downs National Park is covered in woodland?

A

23.8%

51
Q

How many hectares of the South Downs is covered by chalk downland?

A

5600 ha

52
Q

How many hectares is covered by woodland in the South Downs?

A

38,420 ha

53
Q

Which part of the park has the most woodland?

A

West

54
Q

Advantages of forestry on the South Downs

A

A large % of woodland is made up of ancient trees which provide habitats for a diverse range of wildlife
Timber harvested from the National Park woodland is a valuable sustainable product with growing markets in construction and fuel for heating

55
Q

Disadvantages of forestry on the South Downs

A

Some ancient large leaves lime woodland is threatened due to the removal of woodland for new developments
Many hazel and chestnut coppices under threat because people no longer manage them in the traditional way. As they become overgrown, the quality and biodiversity declines

56
Q

What parts of the North and South Downs were suitable for the development of spring line settlements?

A

The chalk escarpments that make up the ridge and valley scenery

57
Q

Where were the spring line settlements built?

A

On the south slopes with shelter from the naturally formed slope

58
Q

How many people live in the South Downs?

A

120,000- most popular national Park in the uk

59
Q

How many people per km squared?

A

74

Highest population density

60
Q

What does the South Downs have the highest number of in any UK national park?

A

Market towns

61
Q

3 market towns in the South Downs

A

Lewes, Petersfield, Midhurst

62
Q

How has the development of settlements impacted the population?

A

Loss of local distinctiveness- not always reflected local character in terms of design and material
Many historic features, like traditional wooden signs, have been replaced with standard metal signs
Decline in community features like post offices, general stores, pubs and schools