The Uk Evolving Physical Landscape Flashcards
What is geology
The study of the structure and substance of rocks
What is past tectonic processes
Previous volcanic eruptions and tectonic uplift
What are the 2 glacial processes -erosion
Plucking -freezing onto the surface and removing sediment
Abrasion-embedded sediment scouring the valley floor and sides
What are the 2 glacial processes-weathering
Freeze thaw-water freezing into cracks in the rock,expanding and splitting the rock apart
Deposition- sediment put down as a glacier retreats creates outwash till in the valley floor,and moraine at the snout and edges of the glacier
What do the range of processes combined create
Upland areas-U shaped valleys and screw slopes
Lowland-dip slopes and escarpments
What are sedimentary rocks and give examples
Small ,eroded particles/remains of plants deposited in layers that turn into rocks over time and under pressure
E.g chalk clay limestone
The layers structure in sedimentary rocks creates what ?
Weakness inbetween layers
What happens to sedimentary rocks over time
They consolidate over time ,so you get rocks are less consolidated and therefore less resistant to weathering erosion
What are igneous rocks and a propertie of it
Igneous rocks are formed by heat eg cooling magma which created a magma
And it’s extremely resistant to erosion
What are metamorphic rocks and. Give a few examples
Metamorphic rocks are formed by existing rock changing shape and characteristics through heat and or pressure
Eg schists and slate
What are the metamorphic rocks layers like
Their layer stucture has faults which can be eroded easily
What rocks are found north and west of the UK and why
igneous and metamorphic due to past techtonic processes
Where are sedimentary rocks found in the UK
The south and east of England
What are dip slopes
Gently sloping areas following the fold of rocks
What are encampments
Steep slopes oftern on areas of alternating more resistant chalk and less resistant clay due to different rates of erosion
Describe the formation of a v shape valley
Caused by the movement of glaciers
They pluck rocks from valley sides and weathering eventually provides more angular sediment which embeds into the glacier
This means the moving glacier with embedded rocks causes the deepening of vally floor and widening of vally sides by abrasion
How are hanging valleys caused
Caused by glacial erosion and later post glacial rivers
How are scree slopes caused
Caused by slope processes and freeze thaw
How are outwash plains caused
By glacial deposition
How are misfit streams caused
By post glacial rivers