Chapter 11 Flashcards
Geomorphology
The sci of landforms study of their origin evolution form and spatial distribution
Denudation
Any process that wears away or rearranged landforms carried out by water air waves or ice
Denudation types
Weathering Mass mov Erosion Transportation Deposition
Geomorphology threshold
The point at which there is enough energy to overcome the resistance against movement
Weathering
The processes by which surface or subsurface rock disintegrates into mineral particles or dissolves in water generation loose material overlying bedrock (regolith)
Bed rock
The parent rock from which weathered regolith and soil develop
Sediment
Fine grained material created from the regolith combines with other material to form soil
Weathering processes depend upon
Character of the bedrock Climate Position of the water table Orientation of the slope Vegetation
Differential weathering
Uneven breakdown of rock material
Physical weathering mechanical
When rock is broken in disintegrated without chemical alteration
Root action
Plant roots can enter crevices and break apart rocks
Frost action freeze thaw
When water seeps into openings in rocks and eventually breaks open the rock by repeated freezing
Ice has a greater volume than water
Also called Frost wedging
Talus slope
Brock fall due to frost action weathering
Crystallization
The breakdown of rocks through the precipitating out of minerals from evaporating water in rocks
Salt crystal growth
Pressure release jointing
When weight is removed from granite due to erosion the pressure is reduced and the rock expands
Huge slabs can slip off sheeting