UK landscapes 1 ✓ Flashcards
what are the three rock types ?
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous
how are metamorphic rocks formed ?
- igneous and sedimentary rocks are put under great pressure and are close to a source of heat
- the rocks are not melted but heated
- under these two conditions the minerals within the rock change to form a new type of metamorphic rock
how are igneous rocks formed ?
- formed from molten rock called magma that is found inside the earth
- when magma cools it forms igneous rocks
how are sedimentary rocks formed ?
- formed from weather or eroded rock debris or Dead Sea creatures that has been transported and deposited
- the deposited rock grains build up in layers called sediments
- the weight of the sediments cause layers at the bottom to become compacted forming rocks
what are the characteristics of metamorphic rocks ?
formed from igneous and sedimentary rocks
what are the characteristics of igneous rocks ?
formed from magma
what are the characteristics of sedimentary rocks ?
formed in layers
what are examples of metamorphic rocks ?
schist
slate
what are examples of igneous rocks ?
granite
basalt
what are examples of sedimentary rocks ?
chalk
limestone
sandstone
where are sedimentary rocks found ?
they are mainly found in the lowland England the south east
where are metamorphic rocks found ?
they are mainly found in the Highland England the north west
where are igneous rocks found ?
they are mainly found in the Highland England the north west
how do tectonic processes help form upland landscapes ?
- north west of the Tees-Exe line largely igneous rock
- tectonic events have made long extinct volcanoes form hills mountains
in Dartmoor how are the Tors formed ?
- Dartmoor formed when dome of magma developed underground
- magma cooled and contracted to form granite with joints
- chemical weathering caused the joints to widen
- granite was exposed on surface
- freeze thaw weathering, erosion and mass movement removed broken granite
- outcrops of rock less affected by weathering and erosion was left behind forming tors
how did tectonic activity shape lowland landscapes ?
- sedimentary rocks show that Britain was at a different latitude compared to today
- this shows movement of continental areas of the globe which is explained by the modern theory of plate tectonics.
how have sedimentary rocks helped form the north and South Downs ?
- sedimentary rocks softer and easily eroded
- so are worn down quickly to form low hills and lowland basins
how can weathering change the shape of upland landscapes ?
- repeated freeze thaw breaks off rock and at the bottom of the scar cliff a scree slope is formed
how have jagged mountain tops been formed ?
the process of erosion is slower than the mountains’ growth rate, the peaks slowly continue to rise
how can mass movement change the shape of landscapes ?
- landslides are occasional rapid movements of a mass of earth or rock sliding along a steep slope
- soil creep is a very slow movement occurring on very gentle slopes
how does agriculture change the landscape ?
drainage ditches are built to draw water away from low-lying agricultural land to let the crops grow
what are the advantages of agriculture on the South Downs ?
contributed towards supporting rare bird species on the downs
what are the disadvantages of agriculture on the South Downs ?
there has been a sufficient decline in chalk grassland from the use of chemicals in farming
how does forestry change the landscape ?
- more trees have been planted for forestry
- UK naturally has deciduous woodlands but people have grown conifer plantations
what are the advantages of forestry on the South Downs ?
- the timber harvested is a valuable sustainable product
- it is useful for construction and fuel for heating
what are the disadvantages of forestry on the South Downs ?
- many of the hazel and chestnut coppices are under threat
- people no longer manage these trees
- as they become overgrown the quality of the woodland and biodiversity decreases
how does settlements change the landscape ?
- settlements have been put on the land that is flat because its easier to build on
- settlements have spread over the landscape and more rivers and streams now run in underground tunnels
what are the advantages of spring line settlements on the South Downs ?
has the largest market towns of any UK towns and cities
what are the disadvantages of spring line settlements on the South Downs ?
there has been a decline in community facilities such as the post office, general store, pub or school
