Physical Landscapes in the UK Flashcards

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1
Q

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

A

Metamorphic rocks are formed when heat and pressure cause other rocks to change. This results in the rock becoming harder and more compact

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2
Q

What are some examples of rocks metamorphing?

A

Shale becomes slate when exposed to heat and pressure. Slate becomes schist when exposed to more heat and pressure

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3
Q

Where are metamorphic rocks found in the UK?

A

Metamorphic rocks are found in large bands across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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4
Q

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

A

Sedimentary rocks are formed when layers of sediment are compacted over time

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5
Q

What are some examples of sedimentary rocks?

A

Carboniferous limestone is a fairly hard rock formed from shells and skeletons of dead marine organisms. Chalk is formed like carboniferous limestone but is softer. Clay is a very soft rock made from mud and clay minerals.

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6
Q

Where is sedimentary rock found in the UK?

A

Chalk and clay are mainly found in South-East England with carboniferous limestone to the North and West.

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7
Q

How are igneous rocks formed?

A

Igneous rocks are formed when magma from the Earth’s mantle cools and hardens.

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8
Q

Where are igneous rocks found in the UK?

A

Igneous rocks are found mainly in Scotland, North-East England, the Lake District and Snowdonia.

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9
Q

Where are the majority of upland areas in the UK?

A

Most of the upland areas in the UK is located in Scotland, the Lake District and the Pennines in the North and North-West of the UK.

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10
Q

Where are the majority of lowland areas in the UK?

A

Most of the UK’s lowland is found in the South and East of the UK. Cities like Norwich are the largest towns in the East Anglia lowland area.

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11
Q

What are the three types of weathering?

A
  • Mechanical weathering
  • Chemical weathering
  • Biological weathering
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12
Q

What is erosion?

A

The wearing away of rocks as a result of being picked up and moved somewhere else.

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13
Q

What is attrition?

A

When pieces of rock scrape against other pieces of rock in the river.

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14
Q

What is abrasion?

A

Heavier rocks being scraped along the bottom of the river, making it deeper and wider.

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15
Q

What is hydraulic action?

A

Rocks being shaped & eroded from the force of the water, it gradually wears away the banks when air is trapped.

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16
Q

What is solution?

A

Slightly alkali sediments being dissolved in the river.

17
Q

What are the 3 sections of a river?

A

Upper valley, middle course and lower course.

18
Q

What are characteristics of the upper valley?

A
  • A steep valley
  • A narrow channel
  • High bedload
  • Vertical erosion
19
Q

What are the characteristics of the middle course?

A
  • Gently sloping valley
  • Wider, deeper channel
  • Suspended bedload
  • Starts to meander
  • Vertical erosion turns to lateral erosion
20
Q

What are the characteristics of the upper course?

A
  • Open, gentle sloping valley
  • Flat and wide floodplain
  • Fast flowing
  • Lateral erosion
21
Q

How are waterfalls formed?

A

When a river flows over a layer of soft rock, followed by a layer of hard rock, the soft rock erodes faster and creates a step in the riverbed. The force of the water then undercuts the hard rock and creates a plunge. This is left overhanging as it isn’t supported and eventually collapses. The fallen rocks cause erosion in the plunge pool. As this process continues, the waterfall retreats upstream.

22
Q

What are the 4 river transport processes?

A
  • Solution
  • Suspension
  • Saltation
  • Traction
23
Q

What is solution?

A

Minerals are dissolved in water and carried along as solution

24
Q

What is suspension?

A

Fine, light material is carried along in the water

25
Q

What is saltation?

A

Small pebbles and and stones are bounced along the riverbed

26
Q

What is traction?

A

Large boulders and rocks are rolled along the riverbed.

27
Q

What is deposition?

A

Dropping materials out of the water (from heaviest to lightest). The velocity of the river decreases

28
Q

What processes transfer water into a river?

A
  • Surface runoff
  • Infiltration
  • Throughflow
  • Percolation
  • Groundwater flow
29
Q

What is surface runoff?

A

Water travelling on top of land

30
Q

What is infiltration?

A

Water travelling into soil

31
Q

What is throughflow?

A

Water travelling through soil to river

32
Q

What is percolation?

A

Water getting into solid rock

33
Q

What is groundwater flow?

A

Water travelling through rock to water

34
Q

What is a spur?

A

A jutting bit of land that a river has to go around as it doesn’t have enough power to go through

35
Q

What are some significant facts of the River Tees

A
  • Located in North-East England
  • 137km long
  • Runs into the North Sea
36
Q

What is an oxbow lake?

A

The leftover part of a meander when the water cuts across the neck of the river and creates a straighter course.

37
Q

What is an estuary?

A

Transitional zones between river and coastal environments and are affected by wave action as well as river processes.