G

Question 0

Gabbro

Answer 0

An intrusive basalt.

Question 1

G8

Answer 1

See Group of Eight.

Question 2

Gamma index

Answer 2

A measure of connectivity in a network which compares actual number of edges (e) with maximum possible number of edges for the vertices (v) in that network.
γ or e(max) = e x 100/3(v-2)

Question 3

Garden city

Answer 3

In the UK, a planned settlement with low housing density. The brainchild of Ebenezer Howard as a result of social concern for poor urban and rural living conditions for working people. The first was begun in 1903 at Letchworth in Hertfordshire and a full history of the movement can be found at: www.letchworthgardencity.net.

Question 4

Garden festival

Answer 4

In the UK, a large scale renovation of derelict inner-city land by designating it for the planting of specially designed gardens. The improved image of the area would then assist the development of economic and residential projects in the area.

Question 5

Garrigue

Answer 5

The shrub vegetation of the Mediterranean region where soils are thin and dry and have been converted to growth of herb plants e.g. thyme and rosemary.

Question 6

GATT

Answer 6

See General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Question 7

Gavelkind

Answer 7

See Fragmentation.

Question 8

GDP

Answer 8

See Gross Domestic Product.

Question 9

Gelifluction

Answer 9

A form of mass movement in which thawed upper soil layers move over permafrost.

Question 10

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Answer 10

Precursor to the World Trade Organisation.

Question 11

General circulation

Answer 11

In the atmosphere, the general pattern of wind and pressure at a global scale. See tricellular model.

Question 12

Genetically modified crop

Answer 12

The placing of a gene from one organism into another so that the latter can take on a quality of the former that it does not otherwise have. Thus organisms can be modified to grow larger, faster etc. or to be made immune to certain diseases. Currently highly controversial. Proponents see a wealth of agricultural, nutritional and medicinal problems solved this way. Those against warn of the unknown side effects for the environment and our bodies.

Question 13

Gentrification

Answer 13

The renovation of the housing fabric in an old, usually inner-city area, when more affluent groups displace lower income groups en masse over a relatively short period of time. May be triggered by a clear event such as the improvement or provision of a better transport link, or by something less tangible such as a fashion trend taking off in the housing market.

Question 14

Geodesy

Answer 14

The science of measuring the surface of the earth.

Question 15

Geographic Information System

Answer 15

The creation of a database of geographic information from a variety of sources which allow the cross-referencing and compilation of different data sets so that relationships may be observed or postulated.

Question 16

Geologic time

Answer 16

The total time involved since formation of the earth to the present time.

Question 17

Geologic time scale

Answer 17

See http://www.geosociety.org/science/timescale/timescl.htm

Question 18

Geomorphology

Answer 18

The science of understanding landform formation.

Question 19

Geostationary orbit

Answer 19

An orbit path that keeps a satellite over the exact same point on the earth’s surface at all times.

Question 20

Geostrophic wind

Answer 20

Wind blowing parallel to isobars because of deflection of the pressure-gradient force by the Coriolis Force.

Question 21

Geothermal

Answer 21

Heat from within the earth. By pumping water down to hot rock layers where magma is close to the surface, we can use the resultant steam to drive turbines and produce electricity. On a smaller scale the water can be used directly to heat swimming pools and spas and the like.

Question 22

Ghetto

Answer 22

An area, usually in slum condition, where an ethnic group is dominant.

Question 23

Gini coefficient

Answer 23

G = ½ Σ(Xi -Yi)
Xi and Yi are two sets of data expressed as a percentage.
The coefficient shows how alike they are from identical (0) to as unidentical as they could be (100).

Question 24

GIS

Answer 24

See Geographical Information System.

Question 25

Glacial

Answer 25

Defined as of or pertaining to a cooler period of climate during which glaciers advance (ice age).

Question 26

Glacial budget

Answer 26

The net result of accumulation and ablation.

Question 27

Glacial diversion

Answer 27

See diffluence.

Question 28

Glacial erosion processes

Answer 28

Two main types: 1. Plucking - glacial ice freezes on to bedrock and, when it moves, pulls away pieces of rock, which are then added to the sides and base of the glacier. 2. Abrasion - rocks incorporated into the glacier scrape away at valley floors and sides, leaving grooves and smooth surfaces behind. Freeze-thaw weathering is also important, as it fractures rock and creates debris which falls on to glaciers and increases their erosional force.

Question 29

Glacial landform

Answer 29

A landform produced by glacial erosion or deposition.

Question 30

Glacial movement

Answer 30

Two types: 1. Basal slipping - pressure between the ice and the surface creates friction and heat which slightly melts ice in contact. This lubricates the underside of the glacier allowing it to flow. 2. Internal distortion - gravitational forces can cause some parts of the glacier to move more quickly then others which can eventually lead to cracks appearing in the ice.

Question 31

Glacial retreat

Answer 31

When ablation exceeds accumulation causing a net loss of ice from the glacier. This usually involves the snout being found at a point in the valley short of the farthest it ever reached. Note that ice still moves downslope but that the zone of ablation now extends further up the valley.

Question 32

Glacial trough

Answer 32

See glacial valley.

Question 33

Glacial uplift

Answer 33

The isostatic recovery of land after ice has been removed.

Question 34

Glacial valley (also glacial trough)

Answer 34

A broad, flat bottomed (U-shaped) valley created by glacial erosion and deposition. The erosion widened, deepened and straightened the original river valley. The deposition created the flat bottom.

Question 35

Glaciation

Answer 35

Landform formation resulting from the of ice ages. The UK has been affected by successive ice ages for 2-4 million years, with last glacial ice disappearing around 8000 years ago. The Scottish Highlands and the Lake District have distinctive formations of glacial erosion and deposition.

Question 36

Glacier

Answer 36

A mass of ice formed through the accumulation of multiple years of snow input causing compaction and thus the expulsion of air from within the mass.

Question 37

Gley soil

Answer 37

Most extensive soil cover in Scotland found on gentler slopes or in areas of high rainfall where the water does not drain away very readily. All the glacial tills of central Scotland are dominated by gley soils. Peaty gley soil is waterlogged for all or most of the year. This waterlogging denies the soil the oxygen that the soil organisms need to survive. The organisms left in the soil extract the oxygen they need to survive from the iron compounds and the soil gradually turns grey, blue or green as the oxygen is depleted. If only the surface is badly drained (in spring melt water areas), the soil is called a surface water gley. If the water permeates the soil all year, it is called a ground water gley. If construction work in urban areas disrupts the soil drainage it is called an urban gley.

Question 38

Gleying

Answer 38

• In soils that are waterlogged, reduction of ferric iron to ferrous iron takes place changing the colour of the soil from reddish brown to blue-grey.

Question 39

Global brand

Answer 39

Technically any brand that has been marketed extensively around the world to a wide variety (economically, socially and politically) of countries. More usually applied to those that enjoy the very highest level of recognition.

Question 40

Global cooling

Answer 40

The cooling of the atmosphere, or more properly the decrease over time in average annual global temperature. Reasons probably include a combination of reduced greenhouse gas content, orbit fluctuations reducing insolation and global dimming.

Question 41

Global dimming

Answer 41

The term to describe the blocking and / or scattering of insolation by particulate matter in the atmosphere, both natural (e.g. volcanic ash) and due to human activity (e.g. burning coal).

Question 42

Global village

Answer 42

The idea that the world is 'shrinking' as technology allows faster and cheaper communication at the global scale. Only partly true as access to the enhanced technology is severely limited. Most of the world population remains excluded.

Question 43

Global warming

Answer 43

The warming of the atmosphere, or more properly the increase over time in average annual global temperature. Reasons probably include: 1. Increased greenhouse gas content. 2. Orbit fluctuations increasing insolation. 3. Decrease in global dimming. The term is now most commonly used to refer to that portion of the warming due to an increased greenhouse gas content caused by human activity.

Question 44

GNP

Answer 44

See gross national product.

Question 45

Gondwanaland

Answer 45

A supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener after the breakup of Pangaea (the single continent) into two. Gondwanaland was the southerly of these two.

Question 46

Gorge

Answer 46

Deep, narrow, steep-sided (often vertical) valley which usually has a river occupying its entire floor.

Question 47

GPP

Answer 47

See gross primary productivity.

Question 48

Graben

Answer 48

The block of crust at the base of a rift valley which has slipped downwards due to the divergence of the crust on either side.

Question 49

Graded profile

Answer 49

The long-section or profile of a river from source to mouth. In an ideal form there is a smooth decrease in gradient downstream, inputs equal outputs and energy equals work done. Of course this does not exist in the real world, but the profile exists as a basis for explaining changes in river characteristics downstream.

Question 50

Gradient

Answer 50

The steepness of a slope.

Question 51

Granite

Answer 51

A massive, intrusive rock. | Detailed description here: http://seismo.berkeley.edu/~jill/granite.html

Question 52

Gravel

Answer 52

A loose mixture of pebbles and rock fragments that are coarser than sand.

Question 53

Gravitational water

Answer 53

The water in the soil that is unavailable to plants and which flows out of the soil as throughflow to the river channel or percolates into the rock below.

Question 54

Gravity model

Answer 54

A formula to calculate the likely interaction between two places given their distance apart, size and barriers (or lack of connectivity) between them. Iᵤᵥ = Pᵤ x Pᵥ / (dᵤᵥ)k where I is the interaction, P is population, d is distance, k is the resistance to movement, and ᵤ and ᵥ are the two places. Distance could be substituted by time or cost where appropriate.

Question 55

Green belt

Answer 55

In the UK, an area of land surrounding an urban area in which planning restrictions severely curb new housing, commercial and industrial developments. Designed to stop urban sprawl. As they generally remain as they were when designated, and as building developments have occurred either in settlements beyond them or taken place as redevelopment of derelict land in the urban area, they can be said to have been a success. Pressure continues to build however, and it remains to be seen whether they will survive.

Question 56

Greenfield site

Answer 56

One on which no building has taken place.

Question 57

Greenhouse effect

Answer 57

The name for the system by which the earth retains some insolation. One of the fundamental preconditions for the development of life. Without it temperatures would be too low for water to be anything other than ice, and organisms could not function. Insolation arrives at the atmosphere. A portion of it is reflected back to space or absorbed by water and solids in the atmosphere. About half reaches the surface and again a portion is simply reflected back to space. The rest is absorbed by vegetation or the surface. The energy that is absorbed by the surface is then radiated to the air and is held by the greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, di-nitrogen oxide, CFCs and water vapour. http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm.

Question 58

Greenhouse gas

Answer 58

A gas, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change (UNEP, 1998).

Question 59

Green movement

Answer 59

Non-governmental organizations, political parties and, increasingly, public opinion which propose that care for the environment should inform and mould our behaviour much more than it has historically.

Question 60

Green revolution

Answer 60

Most properly refers to the development of higher yield varieties of maize (Mexico) and rice (India) in the 1960s. Now used more widely to refer to the application of these crops along with modern farming techniques across the ELDW. While yields have increased and farmers-livelihoods have been improved, there has also been environmental damage and a widening income gap between richer and poorer farmers, so there is debate over whether these changes have been of net benefit or detriment.

Question 61

Grike

Answer 61

The crack in a limestone pavement.

Question 62

Gross domestic product

Answer 62

The total summed value of the output in a country for a year. Usually calculated by measuring expenditure in consumption, investment, government and net exports (exports minus imports). Needs to be adjusted for inflation or the relative purchasing power of money so that countries can be compared. Also often expressed as a per capita figure to take population sizes into account for certain comparisons.

Question 63

Gross national product

Answer 63

Gross domestic product plus net income from abroad. Net income from abroad is income earned from overseas investment minus the value of income earned by overseas investors in the domestic economy. Needs to be adjusted for inflation or the relative purchasing power of money so that countries can be compared. Also often expressed as a per capita figure to take population sizes into account for certain comparisons.

Question 64

Gross primary productivity

Answer 64

The addition, through photosynthesis, of organic matter in plants measured in dry grammes per square metre per year.

Question 65

Ground frost

Answer 65

Frost within the upper layers of the soil.

Question 66

Groundwater

Answer 66

The store of water that has moved by percolation into the lower layers of the soil or the bedrock.

Question 67

Groundwater flow

Answer 67

The flow of water through the groundwater store.

Question 68

Groundwater discharge

Answer 68

The re-emergence of groundwater to the surface at springs or resurgences, or by seepage.

Question 69

Groundwater recharge

Answer 69

The addition of water to the groundwater store.

Question 70

Group of eight

Answer 70

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and USA. The world's richest countries whose representatives regularly meet at all levels to determine economic, social and political policy which can reverberate around the world due to the collective power of these nations. Formerly the G7, Russia joined in 1998. Keep an eye on when China might come to the table and create the G9.

Question 71

Growth pole

Answer 71

A particular site, or small area, where economic development is focused setting off wider growth through cumulative causation. While they may have been recognized as occurring naturally in human economic spheres, in modern times governments especially have tried to create them as a tool of economic development at the regional scale.

Question 72

Growing season

Answer 72

The length of time in the year available for crop growth. Can be defined by gap between last damaging frost of one winter and first damaging frost of the next. Alternatively, the number of consecutive days with temperature above 6°C.

Question 73

Groyne

Answer 73

A wooden wall built across a beach from land to sea. Designed in the 19th century to stop the removal of sand from beaches becoming popular with new tourists, they became important parts of many coastal protection schemes. Discredited in modern times as having too big an impact on other parts of the coast through interrupting the natural process of longshore drift by denying natural beach material to 'downdrift' sections of coast.

Question 74

Guelta

Answer 74

Pools found in overly-deepened portions of river beds in mountainous areas of North Africa. These may be previous plunge pools or any place where higher rates of removal lowered a portion of the bed. Water content need not be permanent.

Question 75

Guest worker

Answer 75

English translation of a German term for economic migrants, mostly from Turkey. They were labelled so as they came to do low skilled, low paid jobs and it was thought that their stay in Germany would be short. In fact many have become permanent migrants and have been joined by their families.

Question 76

Gulf Stream

Answer 76

A warm ocean current that originates in the Caribbean and flows north-east across the Atlantic where it becomes the North Atlantic Drift and is responsible for the mildness of the climate in the UK and Ireland.

Question 77

Gully

Answer 77

Channel formed on a poorly vegetated hillside by soil erosion. Only contain water during rainstorm events.

Question 78

Gully erosion

Answer 78

Steep sided water channels, several metres deep which can cut deeply into the soil after storms and are often permanent. Rain water running into the gully scours the sides or undercuts the head wall which results in the gully migrating. Widening of gully sides can occur by undercutting or slumping.

Question 79

Guyot

Answer 79

An undersea mountain which is characterized by a flattened summit.

Question 80

Glacial erosion landforms

Answer 80

Corries (coires, cirques or cwms) Aretes Pramidal peak