Changing UK landscapes

Question 1

What is a destructive wave?

Answer 1

A wave with weak Swash and strong backwash - occurs in stormy conditions with strong winds. They are steep and close together

Question 2

What is a constructive wave?

Answer 2

Small waves with a low height, Strong Swash and weak backwash, brings sediments to build up the beach

Question 3

Define freeze thaw weathering.

Answer 3

Water seeps into a rock and collects there, when it gets to freezing temperatures, the water freezes and expands, causing small cracks to form in the rock. This continues until the rock splits.

Question 4

Define Biological weathering

Answer 4

Plant roots form in the cracks of rocks, and as the roots grow they enlarge the cracks, eventually causing pieces of rock to break away.

Question 5

Define Chemical weathering

Answer 5

Rainwater and seawater can be slightly acidic. rocks like limestone and chalk can be eroded over time by water.

Question 6

What are the different types of erosion?

Answer 6

Hydraulic action (sheer power of the waves forces air to be trapped in the rock and for it to break apart)
Abrasion (pebbles grind against a smooth rock platform, over time the rock becomes smooth.)
Attrition (this is when rocks that the sea is carrying knock against eachother)

Question 7

Erosion PT.2

Answer 7

Solution - This is where seawater dissolves certain types of rock. Limestone cliffs are prone to this in the UK

Question 8

Types of transportation in rivers -

Answer 8

Traction - large pebbles are rolled along the river bed
saltation- pebbles are bounced along the river bed
Suspension - lighter sediment is carried within the water
solution - transport of dissolved chemicals.

Question 9

River processes

Answer 9

Hydraulic action - Sheer power of water as it smashes against river banks. Air gets trapped and causes rock to break apart

Abrasion- Pebbles grind against river bed and create sandpaper like effect

Attrition - Rocks that the river carries knock against eachother, Break apart to become smaller and more round.

Solution - Water dissolves certain types of rocks.

Question 10

Interlocking spur

Answer 10

Hill a river meanders around in a v shape valley. When viewed from downstream they appear to be locked together

Question 11

Types of weathering.

Answer 11

Mechanical - Physical changes cause rocks to break down. OR Changes in temperature cause water to freeze and expand, melt and contract leading to freeze thaw weathering.

Chemical - Rainwater is slightly acidic and wears away the rock

Biological - Occurs when plants and animals wear away the rocks

Question 12

Types of transportation

Answer 12

Traction - Large heavy pebbles are rolled along the river bed

Saltation - Pebbles are bounced along the river bed.

Suspension - Lighter sediment is carried within the water

Solution - The transport dissolved chemicals.

Question 13

Deposition

Answer 13

When a river loses energy and drops any of the material that it has been carrying.

Question 14

Parts of the river

Answer 14

Upper course - Where the river starts, usually an upland area. Steep slopes can increase velocity of river.

Mid-Course- Gradient is less steep. Channel gets deeper and wider as banks are eroded. Sediment load gets smaller

Lower-course- Final course of the river, land a lot flatter. Rivers load is fine sediment.

Question 15

Meanders

Answer 15

On the way to the middle course, the river gains more water and more energy. Lateral erosion starts to widen the river. When the river flows over flatter land they develop large bends called meanders.

Question 16

Floodplain

Answer 16

Floodplain = area of land which is covered in water when the river bursts its banks.

Question 17

Levees

Answer 17

Lower course of a river when there is an increase in volume of water flowing downstream.
Sediment that has been eroded further upstream is transported downstream.

Question 18

Rock types in the UK

Answer 18

Igneous - Volcanic activity when britain was close to a plate boundary. eg: Giants Causeway.

Sedimentary - Small particles of sand and rock that have been transported by rivers, wind and ice. These are deposited on the lake or seabed and over millions of years the sediments are compressed into rocks.

Metamorphic rocks - Rocks that have been changed in shape and form by an intense heat and pressure. These rocks start as either igneous or sedimentary rocks and are crystallised under the intense heat and pressure.

Question 19

Where are the different rock types distributed?

Answer 19

Igneous rocks are mainly found in the uplant areas, Metamorphic are found in northen Ireland and Scotland, Sedimentary rocks are found across lowland areas of England.

Question 20

Relief

Answer 20

Way the landscape changes in height. Upland areas are high above seas, so they are often mountainous. Lowland areas are often flat as they are near sea level.