Midterm 1 prep

Question 1

what is the difference between Endogenic and Exogenic processes

Answer 1

Endogenic are within the earth, and Exogenic is on the earths surface

Question 2

What is the “geosphere”

Answer 2

The solid earth. change’s in the geosphere are driven by endogenic processes

Question 3

what drives plate tectonics

Answer 3

Thermal convection

Question 4

what are the tree types of plate boundarys

Answer 4

Convergent, divergent, Transform

Question 5

what are two expressions of underground processes

Answer 5

Volcanoes and earthquakes

Question 6

What is Lithology

Answer 6

Rock types examining durability

Question 7

What is Isostasy

Answer 7

The state of gravitational equilibrium between the earths crust and mantle.

Question 8

What is the difference between Oceanic and continental crust

Answer 8

OCeanic crust- Denser, sits lower, Mafic, Thinner
Continental Crust - Lighter, sits higher, Felsic, Thicker

Question 9

What is Isostatic Compensation

Answer 9

the processes of continental crust finding a new equibrium as erosion occurs. Crustal root shrinks

Question 10

what are 4 unifying concepts in geomorphology

Answer 10

• conservation of mass
• conservation of energy
• Equilibrium and steady state
• Magnitude- Frequency relationships

Question 11

what is the Magnitude - frequency relationship

Answer 11

high magnitude events occur rarely
low magnitude events occur often

Question 12

whaat are the three types of weathering

Answer 12

Physical, Chemical, Biological

Question 13

What do you call Physically/chemically weathered rocks with no organics

Answer 13

Regolith

Question 14

what is the difference between weathering and erosion

Answer 14

Weathering is the breaking down of a material. erosion is the breaking down and transportation of a material.

Question 15

what is physical weathering

Answer 15

mechanically breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces

Question 16

What is Chemical weathering?

Answer 16

chemically breaking down a material and the result is chemically different. requires water

Question 17

what is Biological weathering

Answer 17

It is a combination of both chemical and physical weathering but originally caused by plants or animals.

Question 18

(SEE WEATHERING CHART) what type of weathering would dominate in the following places:
1. Vancouver Island
2. Australia
3. Central Antarctica
4. Alberta
5. Ireland

Answer 18

1. simalar rates for both
2. Chemical weathering
3. none
4. physical
5. similar rates

Question 19

what are the 5 subcategories of physical weathering mentioned in class

Answer 19

1. Exfoliation 2. freeze-thaw 3. thermal Expansion 4. wetting and drying
2. Abrasion

Question 20

what is Exfoliation

Answer 20

Rocks breaking part due to releasing of confining pressure. usually break in sheets and associated with igneous rock

Question 21

Describe Freeze-Thaw

Answer 21

As water gets into pore space in rocks and freezes the water expands and causes the rocks to wedge apart. Requires Variable temperature.
can create block fields.

Question 22

define Scree

Answer 22

General term for blocky ribble due to a rock fall

Question 23

Define Talus

Answer 23

An accumulation of scree at the bottom of a slope

Question 24

describe the processes of thermal expansion in terms of geomorphology

Answer 24

Rocks and minerals expand when subjected to heat. repeated heating and cooling can create interior stress the exceeds the rocks strength.

Question 25

how is wetting and drying a form of physical weathering

Answer 25

hydration and saturation of minerals can cause expansion and fracturing. can create Tafoni

Question 26

what is Abrasion

Answer 26

A physical weathring processes that includes physical collisions to break down rocks. Can be caused by Ice, wind or water

Question 27

what does hydrolysis form?

Answer 27

Clays

Question 28

what is Chelation

Answer 28

organic acids and plants break Down rocks by pulling metals out of it