UK landscapes Flashcards
What is the distribution of rock types in the UK?
- Tees-Exe line splits the UK into upland and lowland landscapes
What are upland landscapes?
Landscapes made from more resistant rock e.g. granite/basalt
What are lowland landscapes?
Landscapes made from less resistant rock e.g. chalk/limestone
How were the UK upland landscapes formed?
520 million years ago converging plate boundaries forced the land upwards
How were the UK lowland landscapes formed?
50-60 million years ago when diverging plate boundaries caused the ocean to open
Give an example of an upland landscape.
Cairngorms (Scotland) and Snowdonia (North Wales)
What are the characteristics of metamorphic rocks? (3)
- formed in layers of crystals
- more resistant
- impermeable
What are the characteristics of sedimentary rocks? (4)
- permeable
- less resistant
- contains fossils
- formed in layers
What are the characteristics of igneous rocks?
- made of crystals
- more resistant
- impermeable
How are igneous rocks formed?
from the cooling and solidification of magma from volcanic activity
How are sedimentary rocks formed?
small particles are deposited in layers and are compressed to form a new rock
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
formed when sedimentary rocks are eventually pushed so far towards the earth’s crust that they undergo heat and pressure to form a new metamorphic rock
Give an example of an igneous rock.
Granite/basalt
Give an example of a sedimentary rock.
Chalk/limestone
Give an example of a metamorphic rock.
Marble/slate