Social studies test 2025 Flashcards
what is Alfred Wegener’s drift theory?
This theory is basically the theorization of the continents originally be connected millions of years ago, then gradually separated.
Why is Alfred Wegener’s theory believable?
- The coastlines of South America and Africa seem to fit together
- The North American Appalachians end in Newfoundland, but similar are found in Northern Europe
- Plants and fossil fuels were found in many locations where they aren’t usually found
What are 5 natural factors of landform changes?
tectonic forces, weathering, Erosion, deposition, and glaciation
What are the two human factors of landform changes?
Mining and land reclamation
What are tectonic forces
The Earth’s crust is made up of seven major and several minor plates that are always moving by forces within the Earth. These plates rest on magma and go through heating and cooling cycles. They can rub and collide together creating landforms.
what is weathering and erosion?
Weathering is the natural process that breaks down rocks, soil and minerals into smaller parts when they come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere. Erosion moves these weathered pieces to a new location using natural things like ice, wind, water, and living organisms.
what is deposition?
Deposition is the process of eroded soil and rock being transported by wind, water, ice or gravity and deposited in their new location creating new landforms or making changes to existing landforms.
what is glaciation?
Glaciation is the process of landforms becoming covered by glaciers or ice sheets. As glaciers move, they erode the land beneath them causing landforms to change.
what is mining?
Mining for rocks and minerals creates changes to the Earth’s landforms. Some mines are dug underground, while others dig out the resources and are left open. These mining practices change the interior and exterior of the landforms.
what is land reclamation?
Land reclamation creates new land in large bodies of water (oceans, rivers, or lakes). This is done by filling a section of the water body with rock or cement, then adding clay or dirt on the top to match the heights of the new and old land areas. One of the most well-known land reclamation projects are the Palm Islands in Dubai.
What is a mountain?
A mountain is a landform that is a large hill with very steep sides and is formed when large pieces of the earth collide.
What is a valley?
A valley is a low space between two hills or mountains and is created by vegetation growing between hills and mountains.
What is a plateau?
A plateau is a large and tall piece of land with a flat top. This can be formed by magma that swelled up, or erosion of mountains.
What is a volcano?
A volcano is a mountain the erupts and allows molten lava to flow out. This can be formed when magma pushes through the earth’s crust and cools and creates layers.
What is a desert?
A desert is a land area where water evaporates faster than precipitation can happen. This is caused by the evaporation of water at a faster rate then it can replenish.
What is a delta?
A delta is found at the edge of rivers where the ocean meets, this is caused by dirt and sediments flowing down the river and piling up at the mouth.
What is an island?
An island is land that is surrounded by water, this can be caused by cool lava, lots of dirt, sand and coral build up, or land breaking from land.
What is a dendritic drainage pattern?
This is the most occurring drainage pattern. As the rivers flow over rocks, a tree-like pattern will be created into the landforms. It resembled a tree because of its main area (tree trunk) and then smaller lines that run off the main line (branches).
what is a trellis drainage pattern?
This is a less common drainage pattern. If the river flows over both hard and soft rocks, it will create a rectangular drainage pattern with one main line and perpendicular lines that run off the main line.
How can vegetation change naturally?
Vegetation can change naturally from precipitation amounts, top soil erosion, latitude, and temperatures.
How can vegetation change because of humans?
deforestation, chemical fertilizers, monoculture, grazing animals, and invasive species.
How does precipitation amounts affect vegetation?
- too little water can cause erosion
-too much can drown plants
How does topsoil erosion affect vegetation?
- no longer anchors to earth
how does latitude affect vegetation?
-too hot
-too cold
