Physical processes on upland landscapes in the UK: Malham Flashcards
Where is Malham
Yorkshire Dales
What is Malham an example of
How carboniferous limestone rocks and physical processes interact
What 5 things does the interaction of carboniferous limestone rocks and physical processes create
- Cliffs
- Deep gorges
- Impressive valleys
- Beautiful waterfalls
- Unusual limestone pavements
What is Malham Cove
A line of high limestone cliff
How was the line of limestone cliffs at Malham Cove formed
Over millions of years, Earth movements caused the large Middle Craven Fault to form with the softer rock slipping
How did the cliff at Malham Cove move backwards to its current position
15,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age, melting water from glaciers created a large waterfall which eroded the cliff backwards to its current position
What has created the rounded face seen today at Malham Cove
The combination of:
- Water flowing over the Cove
- Erosion, weathering
- Mass movement processes
What have been created along the top of Malham Cove
Limestone pavements
What are the 3 steps in the formation of limestone pavements
1) The rock is made of blocks with horizontal lines (planes) and vertical cracks (joints)
2) As rainwater passes through the lines of weakness in the rock, it causes a chemical reaction which makes the joints and planes bigger.
3) The widening and deepening of the cracks on the surface form grykes, exposing blocks of limestone called clints.
This creates the pavement.
What is a plane
A Horizontal crack in a rock
What is a joint
A vertical crack in a rock
What is a Gryke
A deepened crack in a rock
What is a Clint
A block of limestone
