Midterm 1 prep Flashcards
(28 cards)
what is the difference between Endogenic and Exogenic processes
Endogenic are within the earth, and Exogenic is on the earths surface
What is the “geosphere”
The solid earth. change’s in the geosphere are driven by endogenic processes
what drives plate tectonics
Thermal convection
what are the tree types of plate boundarys
Convergent, divergent, Transform
what are two expressions of underground processes
Volcanoes and earthquakes
What is Lithology
Rock types examining durability
What is Isostasy
The state of gravitational equilibrium between the earths crust and mantle.
What is the difference between Oceanic and continental crust
OCeanic crust- Denser, sits lower, Mafic, Thinner
Continental Crust - Lighter, sits higher, Felsic, Thicker
What is Isostatic Compensation
the processes of continental crust finding a new equibrium as erosion occurs. Crustal root shrinks
what are 4 unifying concepts in geomorphology
- conservation of mass
- conservation of energy
- Equilibrium and steady state
- Magnitude- Frequency relationships
what is the Magnitude - frequency relationship
high magnitude events occur rarely
low magnitude events occur often
whaat are the three types of weathering
Physical, Chemical, Biological
What do you call Physically/chemically weathered rocks with no organics
Regolith
what is the difference between weathering and erosion
Weathering is the breaking down of a material. erosion is the breaking down and transportation of a material.
what is physical weathering
mechanically breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces
What is Chemical weathering?
chemically breaking down a material and the result is chemically different. requires water
what is Biological weathering
It is a combination of both chemical and physical weathering but originally caused by plants or animals.
(SEE WEATHERING CHART) what type of weathering would dominate in the following places:
1. Vancouver Island
2. Australia
3. Central Antarctica
4. Alberta
5. Ireland
- simalar rates for both
- Chemical weathering
- none
- physical
- similar rates
what are the 5 subcategories of physical weathering mentioned in class
- Exfoliation 2. freeze-thaw 3. thermal Expansion 4. wetting and drying
- Abrasion
what is Exfoliation
Rocks breaking part due to releasing of confining pressure. usually break in sheets and associated with igneous rock
Describe Freeze-Thaw
As water gets into pore space in rocks and freezes the water expands and causes the rocks to wedge apart. Requires Variable temperature.
can create block fields.
define Scree
General term for blocky ribble due to a rock fall
Define Talus
An accumulation of scree at the bottom of a slope
describe the processes of thermal expansion in terms of geomorphology
Rocks and minerals expand when subjected to heat. repeated heating and cooling can create interior stress the exceeds the rocks strength.
