Topic 1

Question 1

active tectonics

Answer 1

ongoing deformation of earth’s crust

Question 2

passive tectonics

Answer 2

indirect influence on processes and forms through spatial distribution of lithology and structure

Question 3

does lithology and structure play an important role in active tectonics?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

magnitude of isostatic compensation of erosion and the spatial scale is related to ___ of the crust

Answer 4

flexural rigidity

Question 5

Secondary uplift through flexure

Answer 5

load is added at a distance away, resulting in lowering of the crust underneath the load and elevation of the crust

Question 6

what do climate cycles do across the globe?

Answer 6

they distribute climate systems

Question 7

attributes of a climate system are

Answer 7

precipitation, temperature, wind speed and relative humidity (RH)

Question 8

glacial geomorphology

Answer 8

glacial moraines, trimlines, polished surfaces, forebuldges and isostatic response.

Question 9

coastal geomorphology

Answer 9

sea level RISE: marine terraces

sea level FALL: barrier islands

Question 10

fluvial geomorphology

Answer 10

fluvial terraces, river knickpoints

Question 11

how does a river respond to a lowering sea level?

Answer 11

by incising. incision propagates upstream; causing a narrowing of the river valley and formation of terraces

Question 12

plate tectonics

Answer 12

controls distribution of landmasses and ocean circulation through opening and closing of passages

Question 13

ice sheets and glaciers

Answer 13

increases albedo

Question 14

mountain topography

Answer 14

windward side: precipitation, increased runoff, increased mass wasting and lower snow line
leeward side: decreased runoff, rain shadow

Question 15

volcanic eruptions

Answer 15

brings matter, aerosols, CO2 into the atmosphere. Increasing cloud coverage and decreases solar radiation coming in.

Question 16

weathering

Answer 16

removal of carbon from the atmosphere, soluble cations and bicarbonate carried into rivers and calcium carbonate formation in the ocean.

Question 17

weathering

Answer 17

physical and chemical break down of materials

Question 18

importance of weathering is due to the production of ____, ____ and ____

Answer 18

sediment, by products and soils

Question 19

what makes weathering a disequilibrium response?

Answer 19

conditions at the surface are very different from those during rock formation

Question 20

what are 6 types of physical weathering?

Answer 20

pressure release, freeze thaw, thermal expansion, salt crystal growth, biotic, hydration

Question 21

what are 4 types of chemical weathering?

Answer 21

solution, oxidation, hydrolysis, ion exchange

Question 22

physical weathering is

Answer 22

the break down of materials into smaller pieces, allowing more surface area for weathering. No chemical composition change.

Question 23

chemical weathering is

Answer 23

decomposition of minerals through chemical alteration.

Question 24

driving forces of physical weathering

Answer 24

water and temperature. (climate controlled)

Question 25

resisting forces of physical weathering

Answer 25

lithology and structure. (rock controlled)

Question 26

driving forces of chemical weathering

Answer 26

water and temperature

Question 27

resisting forces of chemical weathering

Answer 27

silicates (look at bowens reaction series)

Question 28

chemical weathering is strongest with

Answer 28

high precipitation and temperature

Question 29

physical weathering is strongest with

Answer 29

low precipitation and moderate temperature

Question 30

soil mantled landscapes form when

Answer 30

rate of soil production > erosion rate

Question 31

bedrock landscapes form when

Answer 31

rate of soil production < erosion rate

Question 32

mass movements

Answer 32

form of dominant transport for how weathered materials make it way down to the valley floor

Question 33

shear strength

Answer 33

magnitude of shear stress that a soil can sustain or overall resistance to movement/deformation.

Question 34

what happens when water fills the pore spaces?

Answer 34

normal stress decreases

Question 35

factor of safety

Answer 35

stability of a slope and is the ratio between the forces resisting movement to those drivers

Question 36

what are 3 types of stresses?

Answer 36

tensile, compressive and shearing

Question 37

what are 3 common types of strain-stress responses?

Answer 37

elastic, plastic and viscous fluid

Question 38

dilatant

Answer 38

viscosity increases with shear stress

Question 39

pseudoplastic

Answer 39

flows as grains re-arrange and pore water escapes

Question 40

liquefaction

Answer 40

loss of soil strength under shock and leads to fluid behaviour

Question 41

toppling

Answer 41

brittle failure or plastic rotational stability depends on aspect ratio

Question 42

slides

Answer 42

failure on distinct shear surfaces with little internal deformation

Question 43

spreads

Answer 43

more cohesive material sinks into deformable layers underneath

Question 44

creep

Answer 44

upward heave with downslope displacement