T4:Uks Physical Landscape Flashcards
What are igneous rocks?
Created by volcanic activity when magma or lava cools, foming rocks made of cystals that
are usually hard.
What are sedimentary rocks?
Formed of small particles that have been eroded, transported, and deposited in layers, or
from the remains of plants and animals.
What are metamorphic rocks?
Rocks that have been changed by extreme pressure or heat. They are usually
comprised of layers or bands of crystals and are very hard.
What is a slope movement ? Example of one
Processes where soil, rock, or debris move down a slope due to gravity. An example of this would be rock slides
What is a river process? Example of one
These are actions by rivers that shape the land, particularly in valleys and channels. An example of this is erosion when the river carries materials downstream widening the valley
What is a misfit stream?
Rivers that look too small for the large valleys left by glaciers, often found in post-glacial landscapes.
Identify the weather, slope processes and post glacial iver processes in upland areas.
. rockfalls/landslides
. biological weather
Identify the weathering types, slope processes and post glacial processes in low land areas. 4 points
.Chemical weathering
.Biological weathering
.Misfit streams
.Soil creep
What is a fetch?
Distance over open water that wind can blow uninterrupted by land. The longer the fetch, the more time wind has to transfer energy to the water, creating larger and more powerful waves.
2 characteristics of a destructive wave
.Strong backwash
.Tall wave height
What is hydraulic action?
Occurs when waves crash against rocks, forcing air into cracks.
What is attrition?
Rocks and pebbles repeatedly knock into each other, which causes the rocks to erode or to break.
What is abrasion?
Eroded particles in the water scrape and rub against rock, removing small bits.
What is mechanical weathering
Process of rocks crumbling due to rain, wind, or other atmospheric conditions
Compare the coastal features along a discordant and concordant coastline
A discordant coastline has hard and soft rocks. These softer rocks erode more easily that can cause bays (beach surrounded by rock)
Concordant coastline has rocks that run parallel to the shore, making the coastline smoother. Rocks erode at the same rate.
Three characteristics of a constructive wave
. Low in height
. Longer than destructive bays
. Weak backwash
Formation of a spit
A spit forms when sand and pebbles are deposited by longshore drift, creating a sandy ridge extending into the water.
What is the solution of rocks?
The sea dissolving rocks.
What is biological weathering?
Biological weathering is the breakdown of rocks by living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microbes. For example, plant roots can grow into cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart over time.
What is chemical weathering?
Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions, often involving water, air, or acids. For example, rainwater can dissolve minerals in rocks like limestone
What are flood plains?
Floodplains are flat areas of land next to rivers that get flooded when the water rises.
Two ways to decrease floods
. Flood walls
. Enbarkements (higher grass and soil level)
Upper river
The upper course of a river is the steep, fast-flowing, narrow section near its source, where it erodes the land and forms features like V-shaped valleys, waterfalls.
Middle course of a river
The middle course of a river is wider and slower than the upper course, with gentler slopes and features like meanders and floodplains.
Lower course of a river
The lower course of a river is the widest and slowest section, flowing through flat land with features like large floodplains, near the mouth which connects to the sea.
What are the UK’s three main rock types?
Igneous – cooled magma (e.g., granite, basalt)
Sedimentary – compressed layers (e.g., sandstone, chalk)
Metamorphic – changed by heat/pressure (e.g., slate, schist)
How have past processes shaped the landscape?
Glaciation: Carved U-shaped valleys, transported sediment
Weathering: Freeze-thaw, acid rain
Erosion: By rivers, glaciers, and waves
Glacial processes: erosion types?
Abrasion: Rock debris scratches surfaces
Plucking: Ice pulls rock from bedrock
Glacial landforms?
U-shaped valley, Hanging valley, Ribbon lake, Corrie, Arete, Pyramidal peak, Drumlin
What is freeze-thaw weathering?
Water enters cracks, freezes and expands, breaking the rock.
Two wave types?
Constructive – builds beaches, low energy
Destructive – erodes, high energy
Erosion processes at coasts?
Hydraulic action
Abrasion
Attrition
Solution
Coastal transportation method?
Longshore drift – moves material along coast via swash/backwash
Coastal landforms of erosion?
Headlands and bays
Cave, arch, stack, stump
Wave-cut platform
Landforms from deposition?
Beaches
Spits
Bars
Salt marshes
Coastal defences: hard vs soft?
Hard: Sea walls, groynes, revetments
Soft: Beach nourishment, dune regeneration, managed retreat
What are the river’s 3 courses?
Upper: Steep, erosion dominates
Middle: Lateral erosion, transportation
Lower: Deposition, flat land
River erosion processes?
Abrasion, Hydraulic action, Attrition, Solution
How does a waterfall form?
Erosion undercuts soft rock; hard rock collapses; retreat forms a gorge.
How are meanders and oxbow lakes formed?
Erosion on outer bend, deposition on inner bend
Neck narrows, eventually cut through → oxbow lake
Landforms from deposition?
Floodplains
Levees
Deltas
Why is flooding increasing in the UK?
Urbanisation (impermeable surfaces)
Deforestation
Climate change = extreme rainfall
How do humans manage flood risk?
Hard Engineering: Embankments, dams, barriers
Soft Engineering: Floodplain zoning, warnings, afforestation
