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Advanced Geomorphology > MIDTERM 1 - A > Flashcards

MIDTERM 1 - A Flashcards

1
Q
  1. What is Geomorphology
A

The study of the features on the Earth’s dynamic surface, their history and the processes that create them.

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2
Q
  1. Processes acting on the surface of the Earth (4)
A

MOVING WATER

MOVING AIR

MOVING ICE

GRAVITY

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3
Q
  1. What is the most important geomorphological processes for Canadian geomorphology and why?
A

Glacation. Much of Canada’s landscape was molded by glaciers over millions of years.

Valleys were widened, moraines were sculpted and bedrock was smoothed.

Glaciation also left behind many sediments that provide us with a record of geomorphic history.

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4
Q
  1. Importance of sediment.
A

Provides us with a record of previous environments because:

  1. FOUND in almost all environments on the Earth’s surface
  2. RECORDS information about the environment in which it is found. (through weathering, transport, erosion, deposition)
  3. CONTAINS evidence of life forms in the form of living and dead organisms (fossils)
  4. sediment (and sedimentary rock) is found throughout the rock record)
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5
Q
  1. Weathering
A

The disintegration of rocks and other minerals by physical and/or chemical means.

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6
Q
  1. Erosion
A

How sediment is set in motion.

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7
Q
  1. Transport
A

How sediment moves once it is set in motion.

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8
Q
  1. Deposition
A

How sediment stops moving. In a river, the sediment stops moving when the velocity drops. (However, sediment in solution is deposited when precipitation occurs)

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9
Q
  1. Precipitation
A

The formation of new mineral crystals from elements in solution

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10
Q
  1. Sediment texture
A

Refers to the physical characteristics of individual sediment grains.

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11
Q
  1. Threshold (or critical) velocity
A

The water velocity necessary to set in motion (erode) a grain of a certain size

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12
Q
  1. Roundness
A

A measure of how smooth or rough the surface of a grain is.

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13
Q
  1. Sphericity
A

A measure of how spherical a grain is. It is a measure of the shape of a grain.

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14
Q
  1. Sorting
A

The range of grain sizes in a sediment deposit.

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15
Q
  1. Why are very small grain sizes (<0.002mm) harder to erode? (CLAY MINERALS)
A

Because they often contain clay minerals. Clay minerals are flat, sheet-like grains.

Clay minerals are flat, sheet-like grains that have an electric charge on their surface. This means that clay minerals stick together and are hard to erode.

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16
Q
  1. Different grain compositions and why they are so important ?
A

MAFIC: Black (dark), Higher Density

FELSIC: White (light), Lower Density

Minerals will separate (move differently) because of differences in density.

17
Q
  1. Sedimentary structure
A

A physical feature in sediment present because of a preferred arrangement of grains.

18
Q
  1. Why is sedimentary structure is so important
A

Sedimentary structure can give you and idea of the depositional environment of that area.

19
Q
  1. How do the forces of friction and gravity differ between a hillside and a river channel?
A

Gravity pulls an object down a hill or water down a river channel from a high to low gradient. Friction acts as the cause for the object or moving water to slow down or stop.

In a river, the force of friction

20
Q
  1. The relationship between five vegetation zones and landform development
A
  1. Grassland
  2. Temperate Forests
  3. Tropical Forest
  4. Desert/Arid
  5. Polar
21
Q

Vegetation zones

A
  1. Grassland
  2. Temperate Forests
  3. Tropical Forest
  4. Desert/Arid
  5. Polar
22
Q

Geological characteristics of a GRASSLAND

A
  • Most of the biomass is underground.

- Dense root mass binds the sediment and soil together.

23
Q

Geological characteristics of a TEMPERATE FOREST

A
  • Large amounts of biomass are found above and below ground.
  • While sediment and soil are bound together the biomass
    above ground adds a significant amount of weight and possibly organic sediment.
24
Q

Geological characteristics of a TROPICAL FOREST

A
  • Most of the biomass is above ground.
  • There tends to be a shallower root zone.
  • Soil and sediment is less cohesive and more prone to erosion once vegetation is removed and the ground is exposed.
25
Q

Geological characteristics of a DESERT/ARID ZONE

A
  • Vegetation is often minimal (small and sparse)

- In this case even a small, isolated obstacle such as a plant can significantly affect sedimentary processes.

26
Q

Geological characteristics of a DESERT/ARID ZONE

A
  • Vegetation is often minimal (small and sparse)
  • In this case even a small, isolated obstacle such as a plant can significantly affect sedimentary processes.
  • Even a small plant will change how sediment is distributed. Deposition on the the downwind side, erosion on the upwind side as flow and velocity changes around the plant
27
Q

All vegetation will act to trap ______

A

sediment

28
Q

The two forces that help control the formation of landforms on the Earth’s Surface are:

A

gravity and friction.

29
Q

Why is glacation important for Canadian geomorphology?

A

Much of Canada’s landscape was molded by glaciers over thousands of years. Valleys were widened, moraines were sculpted and bedrock was smoothed. Glaciation also left behind many sediments, and sedimentary structures which can be studied today.

30
Q

Glacation

A

The formation, movement and recession of glaciers.

31
Q

Clay minerals

A

Flat, sheet-like grains that have an electric charge on their surface.

32
Q

Polar zone Conditions

A

In northern Canada this includes freezing and thawing conditions.

33
Q

Polar conditions in the winter

A

Snow moves across the surface because of wind. In the presence of vegetation. In the presence of vegetation snow will accumulate on the ground.

Snow on the surface acts as an insulator preventing the ground from freezing or at least not freezing as much.

34
Q

Polar conditions in the summer

A

In summer the ground that was covered with snow undergoes more thawing while the area not covered in snow during winter is less thawed.

Therefore the area originally covered by snow in winter - because there was more vegetation - is more prone to erosion in the summer.

35
Q

Active Layer

A

the layer on permafrost that is subject to thawing.

Advanced Geomorphology (10 decks)

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