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GEOG272 > Principles of geomorphology > Flashcards

Principles of geomorphology Flashcards

1
Q

What does the Hjulstrom curve describe?

A

Erosion thresholds based on particle type and velocity (force and resistance)

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1
Q

What does the Hjulstrom curve describe?

A

Erosion thresholds based on particle type and velocity (force and resistance)

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2
Q

What are the 5 key principles of geomorphology?

A

EFTFT
1. Equilibrium
2. Force (and resistance)
3. Thresholds
4. Feedback
5. Time

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3
Q

Describe uniformitarianism

A

Geo formation processes are slow and steady over time – this helps us understand the history & nature of landforms

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4
Q

Describe catastrophism

A

Some things happen very quickly and dramatically, disrupting uniform patterns in landform evolutions

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5
Q

Describe the general geographic cycle

A

young -> mature -> old -> young

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6
Q

Give an example of an endogenic process?

A

Plate tectonics, landform evolution

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7
Q

Give an example of an exogenic process

A

Weathering, erosion, transport, deposition

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8
Q

What is a morphological system?

A

A system where the morphology is influenced by forces acting upon it

forces affect morphology - morphology affects further morphology

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9
Q

What is a cascading system?

A

The output from one system becomes the input for another. Dynamic system characterized by transfers in mass and energy

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10
Q

What is a process-response system?

A

system that integrates characteristics of morphological and cascading systems

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11
Q

What are the 4 types of equilibria?

A

-Static
-steady-state
-dynamic
-Dynamic-metastable

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12
Q

Energy: What are the key sources of energy in the geomorphological systems?

A

-Solar system: rotational energy
-Solar radiation
-Gravitational attraction
-Plate movement
-Geothermal heat flow

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13
Q

What are the 5 contributing factors of landscape evolution?

A

-Climate
-Tectonics
-Topography
-Geology
-Biology

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14
Q

How does an igneous rock form?

A

Directly from the cooling, solidification & crystallization of magma

ex. basalt, granite

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15
Q

How does a sedimentary rock form?

A

From the compaction and cementation (lithification) of erodied and deposited sediments.

Key processes: weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition.

ex: sandstone, limestone, shale.

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16
Q

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

A

When any igneous or sedimentary rock undergoes physical or chemical changes under pressure & increased temperature. They are usually buried.

The metamorphic changes in mineral type always reflect the restoration of equilirbium

ex: slate, gneiss, marble

17
Q

What are the parts of the earth’s structure (spheres)

A

Lithosphere - outer
Asthenosphere - middle
Mesosphere - inner

18
Q

Describe the continental crust:
-general composition
-avg density
-avg depth
-upper composition
-lower composition

A

-General composition: SiAl (silica & aluminum)
-Avg density: 2.7g/cm3
-Avg depth: 30-40km
-Upper composition: granite rocks
-Lower composition: basalt and diorite

19
Q

Describe the oceanic crust:
-general composition
-avg density
-avg depth
-general composition

A

-General composition: SiMa (silica & magnesium)
-Avg density: 3.0g/cm3
-Avg depth: 6-11km
-Composition: Tholeiitic basalt

20
Q

What are the 3 sources of knowledge to understand earth’s inner structure?

A

Volcanoes
Gravity measurements, magnetism
Seismology - earthquakes

21
Q

What did the geophysicist Inge Lehmann discover?

A

The existence of the inner core via extra vibrations coming from what must have been the inner core

22
Q

What is isostasy?

A

adjustment of the earth’s crust in response to something weighing on the lithosphere.

23
Q

Continental drift: when did Pangea, the supercontinent, exist?

A

200-250 mya

24
Q

What lines of evidence are there for Pangea?

A

-Fossil similarities across several regions (particularly Gondwanaland)
-Patterns of glacial erosion, deposits & geology

25
Q

What 4 scientific developments spurred the plate-tectonics theory?

A

-Demonstration of ruggedness and youth of the ocean floor
-confirmation of repeated reversals of the Earth magnetic field in the geologic past
-Emergence of the seafloor-spreading hypothesis + associated recycling of the oceanic crust
-Precise documentation that the world’s earthquake & volcanic activity is concentrated along oceanic trenches & submarine mountain ranges

26
Q

Seafloor spreading

A
27
Q

What are the 3 types of results of crustal movement / uplift?

A

-tectonic mountains
-volcanic landforms
-residual mountains (remnants of ancient tectonic activity)

28
Q

What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?

A

-Divergent
-Convergent
-Transform fault (sliding past each other)

29
Q

What are the 3 types of convergent boundaries?

A

-subduction
-convergent
-transform fault margins

30
Q

What is epeirogeny?

A

change in the global disposition of land masses (e.g. continent formation)

31
Q

What is orogenesis?

A

Process of mountain formation driven by plate tectonic movements.

32
Q

What is diastrophism?

A

The combination of epeirogeny and orogenesis - folding or faulting

33
Q

What are the 2 forms that a diastrophic fold can take ?

A

Anticline & Syncline

34
Q

What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?

A

Divergent
Convergent
Transform Fault (sliding past each other)

35
Q

What type of movement is the seafloor spreading cycle?

A

Convectional

36
Q

What causes seafloor magnetic stripes?

A

volcanic flows that cool during different orientations of earth’s magnetic pole

37
Q

What is regolith?

A

an unconsolidated surface layer of weathered rocks

38
Q

Why do rocks weather?

A

rocks exposed at the surface
by erosion are no longer in
equilibrium with their environment

39
Q

What are the 4 types of physical weathering?

A

-Freeze/thaw (frost action)
-Exfoliation (expansion/contraction)
-Abrasion
-Root wedging

40
Q

How does chemical weathering affect physical weathering?

A

Chem. weathering creates more stable, but more breakable, chemical compositions. They become physically weaker.

41
Q

How does physical weathering affect chemical weathering?

A

Physical weathering increases the surface area for chemical weathering to take place.

GEOG272 (4 decks)

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