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.
What are monsoons?
Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to the Indian subcontinent, particularly affecting the Himalayas.
What are glaciers?
Glaciers are large masses of ice that form from compacted snow and flow slowly over land.
Describe two processes of glacial erosion
Plucking:
As a glacier moves, it freezes onto rocks on the valley floor and walls.
When the glacier advances, it pulls or “plucks” these rocks away, leaving jagged surfaces behind.
This is most effective where the rock is already cracked or weakened by freeze-thaw weathering.
Abrasion:
Rocks and debris embedded in the glacier’s base and sides act like sandpaper.
As the glacier moves, these materials scrape and grind against the bedrock, smoothing and polishing surfaces.
This process creates features like striations (scratches) on the bedrock.
Describe how a glacier changes the landscape
Erosion:
Plucking: Glaciers freeze onto rocks, pulling them away as the glacier moves.
Abrasion: Rocks embedded in the glacier scrape and grind against the valley floor and walls, creating smooth surfaces and striations.
Landform Creation:
U-Shaped Valleys: Glaciers carve out steep-sided valleys with flat floors, replacing the V-shaped valleys formed by rivers.
Cirques: Bowl-shaped depressions are formed at the head of a glacier.
Aretes and Horns: Sharp ridges (aretes) and pointed peaks (horns) form as glaciers erode multiple sides of a mountain.
Transport: Glaciers carry rock debris (moraine) from erosion, sometimes for many kilometers.
Deposition:
As glaciers melt, they deposit sediments, forming features like moraines, drumlins, and outwash plains.
What is a drainage basin?
A drainage basin is an area of land where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river.
What is a flood hydrograph?
A flood hydrograph is a graph that shows the rate of flow (discharge) of water in a river over time, particularly during a flood event.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of higher land that separates two different drainage basins.
What is a confluence?
A confluence is the point where two or more rivers meet.
What is the mouth of a river (delta)?
The mouth of a river, often forming a delta, is where the river meets a larger body of water and deposits sediment.
What is a tributary?
A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river.
What is a catchment area?
A catchment area is the region from which water is collected for a particular river or reservoir.
What is the source of a river?
The source of a river is the original point from which the river flows, often found in highland areas.
What is the hydrological cycle?
The hydrological cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
What is a drainage basin system?
A drainage basin system is the interconnected network of rivers and streams that drain a specific area.
Identify four types of river transportation
Solution
Suspension
Saltation
Traction
Describe the different types of river transportation
Solution: Minerals are dissolved in the water and carried along invisibly. This occurs with soluble materials like limestone.
Suspension: Fine particles such as silt and clay are lifted and carried within the water, making it appear muddy.
Saltation: Small pebbles and stones are bounced along the riverbed in a hopping motion due to the force of the water.
Traction: Larger rocks and boulders are rolled or dragged along the riverbed, requiring the strongest flow.
What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants and released as vapour into the atmosphere.
What is interception?
Interception is the process by which precipitation is caught and held by vegetation before it reaches the ground.
What is throughflow?
Throughflow is the lateral movement of water through the soil layer towards a river or stream.
What is a climate graph?
A climate graph is a visual representation of the average temperature and precipitation in a specific area over time.
What is a pie chart?
A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions.
What is a bar graph?
A bar graph is a chart that presents categorical data with rectangular bars representing the values.
What is a divided bar chart?
A divided bar chart is a bar chart that shows the composition of a whole by dividing bars into segments.
What is a line graph?
A line graph is a type of chart that displays information as a series of data points called ‘markers’ connected by straight line segments.
What is a multiple line graph?
A multiple line graph is a graph that displays more than one line, allowing for comparison between different data sets.
What is an annotated sketch diagram?
An annotated sketch diagram is a drawing that includes labels that fully explain the components and processes depicted.
What is Föhn?
A Föhn is a warm, dry wind that descends the leeward side of a mountain range.
What is the windward side?
The windward side is the side of a mountain that faces the wind and receives more precipitation.
What is the leeward side?
The leeward side is the side of a mountain that is sheltered from the wind and typically drier.
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
The dry adiabatic lapse rate is the rate at which dry air cools as it rises, approximately 10°C per kilometer.
What is the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
The wet adiabatic lapse rate is the rate at which saturated air cools as it rises, approximately 6°C per kilometer.
What is condensation?
Condensation is the process by which water vapour turns into liquid water, forming clouds or dew.
What is glaciation?
Glaciation is the process by which an area becomes covered by glaciers.
What are exogenic processes?
Exogenic processes are geological processes that occur at or near the Earth’s surface, such as erosion and weathering.
What are endogenic processes?
Endogenic processes are geological processes that occur within the Earth, such as volcanic activity and tectonic movements.
What is the significance of ocean currents in climate change?
Ocean currents play a crucial role in regulating climate by distributing heat across the planet.
What is changing solar activity (in connection to glaciation)?
Changing solar activity refers to variations in the Sun’s energy output, which can influence Earth’s climate and can trigger glacial periods.
What are volcanic eruptions as a natural cause of climate change?
Volcanic eruptions can release large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, affecting climate patterns.
What is the Milankovitch cycle?
The Milankovitch cycle refers to the long-term variations in Earth’s orbit and axial tilt, influencing climate change.
What is recrystalisation?
It is the process of snow turning to ice and becoming a glacier.
What is basal slip?
Basal slip is the movement of a glacier over its bed due to melting at the base.
What is plastic flow?
Plastic flow is the internal deformation of ice within a glacier, allowing it to move.
What is accumulation in glacial systems?
Accumulation is the process by which snow and ice build up in a glacier.
What is a glacial system?
A glacial system refers to the interconnected components of a glacier, including accumulation, flow, and ablation.
What is a corrie?
A corrie is a bowl-shaped depression formed by glacial erosion.
What is a pyramidal peak?
A pyramidal peak is a sharp, pointed mountain peak formed by glacial erosion on multiple sides.
What is plucking in glacial processes?
Plucking is the process of erosion by which a glacier removes blocks of rock from the ground as it moves.
What is abrasion in glacial processes?
Abrasion is the process of glacial erosion wearing away of rock surfaces by the grinding action of a glacier.
What are striations?
Striations are scratches or grooves on rock surfaces caused by the movement of glaciers.
What is an arete?
An arete is a sharp ridge formed between two glacial valleys.
What is a moraine?
A moraine is an accumulation of debris deposited by a glacier.
What is freeze-thaw weathering?
Freeze-thaw weathering is the process by which water freezes in cracks of rocks, causing them to break apart.
What is vulnerability in the context of natural hazards?
Vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of a community to the impacts of natural hazards.
What is mitigation?
Mitigation involves strategies to reduce the impact of natural hazards.
What is hazard response?
Hazard response refers to the actions taken to address and manage the effects of natural hazards.
What is risk assessment?
Risk assessment is the process of identifying and analyzing potential hazards and their impacts. Everyone perceives hazards and risks differently.
What is a natural hazard?
A natural hazard is a natural event that has the potential to cause harm to people, property, or the environment.
What is a disaster?
A disaster is a serious disruption that causes significant harm or damage, often resulting from a natural hazard.
What is Degg’s model?
Degg’s model illustrates the relationship between hazard, vulnerability, and risk.
What is the hazard risk equation?
The hazard risk equation is a formula used to assess the risk of a hazard based on its likelihood and potential impact.
Risk = Hazard (H) x Vulnerability (V) / Capacity (C)
What is capacity in the context of hazards?
Capacity refers to the ability of a community to cope with and recover from a disaster.
What is the Nepal earthquake case study?
The Nepal earthquake case study examines the impacts and responses to the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.
What is hazard perception?
Hazard perception is the understanding and awareness of potential hazards and risks.
What is structural mitigation?
Structural mitigation involves building designs and infrastructure improvements to reduce hazard impacts.
What is locational mitigation?
Locational mitigation refers to land-use planning and zoning to avoid hazardous areas.
What is operational mitigation?
Operational mitigation involves emergency preparedness and response planning.
What is risk transfer?
Risk transfer is the practice of shifting the financial burden of risk to another party, often through insurance and reinsurance.
What is complacency in hazard management?
Complacency refers to a lack of concern or awareness about potential hazards, leading to inadequate preparedness.
What is EEW?
EEW stands for Earthquake Early Warning, a system designed to detect seismic activity and provide alerts.
What is the Japan tsunami case study?
The Japan tsunami case study analyzes the causes, impacts, and responses to the 2011 tsunami in Japan.
What is EM-DAT?
EM-DAT is the Emergency Events Database, a resource for tracking natural disasters worldwide.
What is CRED?
CRED stands for the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, which collects data on disasters.
What is drought?
Drought is an extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical multi-year average for a region.
What is a wildfire?
A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly, often in forested areas.
What is dry mass movement?
Dry mass movement refers to the downslope movement of soil and rock without the influence of water.
What is wet mass movement?
Wet mass movement is the movement of wet soil, rock and snow (avalanche), often leading to landslides.
How much economic damage was caused by natural hazards in 2022?
In 2022 it was estimated that the global cost of natural hazards was around $270bn.
What is the changing human cost of hazards?
The changing human cost of hazards refers to the evolving impacts on human life and health due to natural disasters.
What is the changing frequency of hazards?
The changing frequency of hazards refers to the variations in how often natural disasters occur.
What % of losses caused by natural hazards in 2022 were uninsured?
55%
What is a resource?
A resource is the total amount or source of supply that can be drawn upon when needed.
What is a non-renewable resource?
A non-renewable resource is a resource that cannot be replaced once it is used up.
What is a renewable resource?
A renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished naturally over time.
What is a biotic resource?
A biotic resource is a resource derived from living organisms.
What is an abiotic resource?
An abiotic resource is a resource derived from non-living components of the environment.
What are demands on resources?
Demands on resources refer to the consumption and utilization of natural resources by society.
What is management of resources?
Management of resources involves the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources.
What is a reserve?
A reserve is a known quantity of a resource that can be extracted in the future.
What is a hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, commonly found in fossil fuels.
What is resource supply?
Resource supply refers to the availability of a resource for use.
What is resource demand?
Resource demand refers to the desire and need for a resource by consumers.
What is Hubbert’s peak?
Hubbert’s peak is a theory that predicts the peak of oil production in a region, after which production will decline.
What is competition for resources?
Competition for resources refers to the struggle between individuals or groups to obtain limited resources.
This is driven by:
Population
Industrial development
Natural hazard impacts
Consumerism
War and conflict
Who was Malthus?
Malthus was an economist known for his theories on population growth and resource limits.
He said that population growth will exceed food production and cause disaster events.
Who was Boserup?
Boserup was an economist known for her theories on agricultural development and population growth.
She said that population growth will drive people to find solutions and develop improved food production.
What is a choke point?
A choke point is a strategic narrow passage that can be easily controlled and is critical for transportation.
What can you say about water as a resource (case study)?
The case study on water as a resource examines the management and sustainability of freshwater supplies.
What can you say about wind as a resource (case study)?
The case study on wind as a resource explores the potential of wind energy for sustainable power generation.
What can you say about solar as a resource (case study)?
The case study on solar as a resource investigates the use of solar energy for electricity generation.
What can you say about oil as a resource (case study)?
The case study on oil as a resource analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of oil extraction and consumption.
What is the impact of tourism in the Himalayas?
The impact of tourism in the Himalayas includes economic benefits as well as environmental and cultural challenges.
What is the impact of population change in the Himalayas?
The impact of population change in the Himalayas involves shifts in demographics, resource use, and environmental pressures.
How is domestic energy used in the Himalayas?
Yak-dung cakes
Biofuels
What is deforestation in the Himalayas?
Deforestation in the Himalayas refers to the clearing of forests for agriculture, development, and other uses.
What is land degradation in the Himalayas?
Land degradation in the Himalayas involves the deterioration of land quality due to various human and natural factors.
What is glacier retreat in the Himalayas?
Glacier retreat in the Himalayas is the phenomenon of glaciers shrinking in size due to climate change.
What are factors affecting climate?
Factors affecting climate include latitude, altitude, ocean currents, and prevailing winds, aspect and continentality.
What is latitude?
Latitude is the measurement of distance north or south of the equator.
What is continentality?
Continentality refers to the effect of being located far from the ocean, leading to greater temperature extremes.
What are ocean currents?
Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater that influence climate and weather patterns.
What are prevailing winds?
Prevailing winds are winds that blow predominantly from a single direction over a particular area.
What is altitude?
Altitude is the height of an object or point in relation to sea level. As we increase in altitude we decrease in temperature.
What is aspect?
Aspect refers to the direction that a slope faces, which can influence its climate and vegetation.
What is the monsoon in the Himalayas?
The monsoon in the Himalayas is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rainfall during certain months.
Explain the monsoon
Summer Monsoon: During summer, the land heats up faster than the surrounding ocean, creating a low-pressure system over the land (e.g., the Indian subcontinent). The cooler, high-pressure air over the ocean flows toward the land, bringing moisture-laden winds that cause heavy rainfall.
Winter Monsoon: In winter, the land cools faster than the ocean, creating a high-pressure system over the land and a low-pressure system over the ocean. Winds reverse direction, blowing dry air from land to sea, resulting in dry weather over the land.
What is climate change in the Himalayas?
Climate change in the Himalayas refers to the long-term alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns affecting the region.
