P1 SC UK Physical Landscapes Flashcards
What is relief?
Relief describes the physical features of the landscape. Includes:
Height above sea level
Steepness of slopes
Shape of landforms
To the north and west are the ___ of England, Wales and Scotland
More ___ rocks such as ___ are found here
Uplands
Resistant
Granite and slate
South and east are the ___ of central and southern England
___ rocks such as ___ form low-lying ___ and rolling landscapes
Lowlands
Weaker
Clay and limestone
Plains
Landscapes result from…
The interaction between natural and physical factors
Most rivers have their source in…
Mountains or hills
The River Severn has its source in ___, is joined by the River ___ and flows into ___
The Cambrian Mountains, Wales
Avon
The Bristol Channel
How do waves form?
Wind blowing over the sea
Friction w surface of water causes ripples that develop into waves
What is the fetch?
Distance that wave-generating winds blow across the water
The longer the fetch…
The bigger the wave
What happens when waves reach the coast?
Circular orbit in open water
Friction with seabed distorts circular motion
Increasingly elliptical orbit as water is shallower, crest of wave moves faster
Wave breaks and collapses onto beach
Water returning to the sea is called…
Backwash
Water rushing up the beach is called…
Swash
What are the two types of wave
Constructive
Destructive
Constructive waves are formed by…
Storms hundreds of km away
Constructive waves are common at what time of year?
Summer
What are characteristics of constructive waves?
Low waves, crests far apart
Gently sloping wave front
Gently sloping beach
Waves push sand and pebbles up beach - “constructing” it
Destructive waves are formed by…
Local storms close to the coast
Destructive waves are common at what time of year?
Winter
What are characteristics of destructive waves?
Waves close together
Waves high + steep, plunge onto beach
Steep beach
Little forward swash, strong backwash erodes beach
What is weathering?
The weakening or decay of rock due to the action of weather, plants + animals
What are the three types of weathering?
Physical / mechanical
Chemical
Biological
What is physical / mechanical weathering?
The disintegration of rock - often results in scree at foot of cliff
What is chemical weathering
Caused by chemical changes - rainwater is slightly acidic + slowly dissolved certain rocks / minerals
What is biological weathering
Due to actions of flora / fauna - eg plant roots grow in cracks, animals burrow