S6(4) Topic 01 - Natural environment (Himalayas) Flashcards
What is erosion?
Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth’s surface by natural processes of movement (e.g a river or a glacier).
Example: Erosion can occur due to wind, water, or ice.
What is weathering?
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface due to various factors, including temperature changes and chemical reactions. This happens in-situ (without movement).
What is a supercontinent?
A supercontinent is a large landmass that is composed of multiple continental plates.
What is the climatological evidence for supercontinents?
Coal is formed in tropical conditions. Today many fossil fuels are believed to exist below Antarctica which is cold today but previously was located in a tropical region.
What are convection currents?
Convection currents are movements within a fluid caused by the tendency of warmer, less dense material to rise and cooler, denser material to sink. This takes place within the asthenosphere and is triggered by temperatures of around 5000 degrees in the core.
What is a destructive plate boundary?
A destructive plate boundary is where two tectonic plates collide, leading to one plate being forced beneath another.
What is a constructive plate boundary?
A constructive plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust.
What is subduction?
Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves under another and is forced into the mantle.
What is a simple fold?
A simple fold is a bend in rock layers that occurs when they are compressed and folded.
What is an overfold?
An overfold is a type of fold that occurs when rock layers are pushed beyond their normal limits, resulting in a steep incline.
What are nappes?
Nappes are large sheets of rock that have been moved over other rocks due to tectonic forces.
What are fold mountains?
Fold mountains are mountains formed by the folding of the Earth’s crust due to tectonic forces.
What is the core of the Earth?
The core is the innermost layer of the Earth, composed primarily of iron and nickel. Temperatures of more than 5000 degrees celcius.
What is the mantle (asthenosphere)?
The mantle, or asthenosphere, is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the core, characterized by semi-fluid rock.
What is the crust (lithosphere)?
The crust, or lithosphere, is the outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock.
How were the Himalayas formed?
Geosyncline Formation: A depression (the Tethys Ocean) between the Indian and Eurasian Plates was filled with sediments over millions of years.
Collision: The Indian Plate moved northward, colliding with the Eurasian Plate, about 50 million years ago.
Folding and Uplift: Intense compression folded and uplifted the sedimentary layers, forming the Himalayas.
Ongoing Activity: The plates continue to collide, causing the Himalayas to rise further and resulting in earthquakes.
What is deposition?
Deposition is the process by which sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass.
What is the transportation of sediment?
The transportation of sediment refers to the movement of solid particles from one location to another.
What is the climate of the Himalayas?
The climate of the Himalayas varies significantly with altitude and location, ranging from tropical to polar conditions.
What is the vegetation of the Himalayas?
The vegetation of the Himalayas includes a diverse range of flora, from tropical forests at lower elevations to alpine tundra at higher altitudes.
What are the rivers of the Himalayas?
The rivers of the Himalayas are major water bodies that originate in the mountain range and flow into surrounding regions. E.g The Ganges, Indus and Bhramaputra.
What is the Plateau of Tibet?
The Plateau of Tibet is a vast, elevated region located north of the Himalayas, known as the ‘Roof of the World.’
What are the mountains of the Himalayas?
The mountains of the Himalayas are a major mountain range in Asia, home to some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest.
What are the climate zones of the Himalayas?
The climate zones of the Himalayas range from subtropical at the base to polar at the highest elevations.