Topic 1 - Natural Environment Flashcards
(96 cards)
1
Q
Orogeny (def)
A
The process that creates a andscape
2
Q
Major geographical regions of Europe (5) + brief location description
A
- Caledonian mountains (Norway, finland, Ireland, UK)
- Baltic shield (Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia)
- North European Plain - NEP (From France all over central europe through to vast parts of W-Russia
- Variscian mountains (France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany)
- Alps (France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, Lichtenstein, Slovenia, Monaco)
3
Q
Formation of the alps
A
Sedimentary basins:
- Tectonic plate move apart
- Sediment is created through weathering & erosion (mostly in mountainous regions)
- Sediment is transported from other regions into sedimentary basins via transportation (glacial, fluvial, aeolian)
- Tectonic plates move towards each other –> sedimment gets compressed, vises up and folds (fold mountains)
- Over time tension in the folded sediment may cause cracks or breaks (nappes), Weathering & Erosion cause mountains to change shape and become more angular
4
Q
Strata
A
Stacked-up layers of sedimentary rock
5
Q
Alps (Steckbrief)
A
Carst mountain chain
Fold mountains
In Europe
Highest peak: Mt Blank ~4600m height
Area size: 200,000 km²
Chracteristic: Snow due to high altitude
6
Q
Opportunities in the Alps
A
- Tourism (hiking, skiing)
- Fresh water (meltwater from glaviers)
- HEP from rivers
- Farming
- Forestry
7
Q
Challenges in the Alps
A
- Harsh weather conditions (lots of snow, cold)
- Difficulty in building infrastructure due to relief
- Few roads –> medical service takes longer to arrive
8
Q
The Baltic shield characteristic
A
Large & many bodies of water, forestry, grey granite rock, mostly flat land
Challenge of agriculture
9
Q
Baltic shield opportunities
A
- Important industrial minerals / areas
- Water supply
- Wood supply
- HEP
- Biodiversity / wildlife
- Tourism: fishing, hiking, nature
10
Q
Baltic shield challenges
A
- Cold climate (makes agriculture impossible)
- Hard to self-supply the country
- Hard to build on bc of rocks
11
Q
Caledonian mountains (characteristic)
A
Brownish-red rock
Shaped like the alps (sharp edges)
12
Q
Caledonian mountains challenges
A
- Harsh climate (cold)
- Poor soil quality (little to no agriculture)
- Limited human setlement and industrial building (relief)
- Few roads –> paramedics take longer to arrive
13
Q
Caledonian mountins opportunities
A
- Outdoor activities / Tourism
- Fresh water / biodiversity
- Natural ressources
- Forestry
- HEP, water reservoirs, wind farms
- Geological research
14
Q
NEP Characteristics
A
Extremely flat land, very fertile soil (loess), few lakes / rivers
Forestry removed by human activity
15
Q
NEP Opportunities
A
- Agriculture
- Transport / Trade: Easy routes and flat land (easy to cross)
- Strategic economy (war)
16
Q
NEP CHallenges
A
- Risk of flood (lies below sea level)
- Risk of invasion (War)
- Pressure on the environmen (extensive agriculture, use of pesticides / insecticides / fertillisers)
17
Q
Variscian Mountains (characteristic)
A
- More vegetation than in the alps (not so high)
- Extinct volcanos
- Drinking water ressources
18
Q
Variscian mountains opportunities
A
- HEP
- Beautiful envirnment
- Biodiversity
- Clean water supply
19
Q
Variscian mountains challenges
A
- Isolation / poor accesibility due to high altitude and lots of snow
- Challenge of building infrastructure (relief)
20
Q
Structure of the Earth
A
Immer Core > Outer core > Gutenberg discontinuity > Mantle > Mohorovijic discontinuity > Crust
21
Q
Inner and Outer core (Steckbrief)
A
SOLID (I), SEMI-MOLTEN (O)
- Most dense part of the earth
- Approx. size of Mars (both together)
- Made up of rocks rich in iron & nickel
- About 6000°C
22
Q
Mantle (steckbrief)
A
SOLID (but acts like liquid)
- Made up of Silicate rocks rich in iron & magnesium
- High temperatures near the core generate CONVECTION CURRENTS (~5000°C)
23
Q
Mantle (Synonym)
A
Asthenosphere
24
Q
Crust (Synonym)
A
Lithosphere
25
Crust (steckbrief)
- Thinnest, cooest, less dense layer
- Varies in thickness between 5-90 km
- Continental crust / Oceanic crust
26
Continental crust
- 30-90 km
- >1500 mio years old
- Less dense (Up during collision)
- SIAL: Silicon & Aluminium
27
Oceanic crust
- 5-10 km
- < 200 mio years (younger bc subducts wehn coliding)
- denser (Down during collision --> subduction
- SIMA: Silicon, Magnesium
28
Supercontinental theory (Who, When)
Alfred Wegener, 1912
29
Geological evidence for Pangaea
Rocks from different continents match up well
30
Climatological evidence for Pangaea
Coal deposits found in places where they can't be formed (e.g. Antarctica)
--> they need tropical climate to form
31
Biolical evidence for Pangaea
- Mesosauris remains found in two places, divided by the sea --> Mesosaurus was fresh water animal couldn't have crossed
- Marsupials only found in Australia bc it drifted away before its Predators could wipe them out
32
Types of Plate boundaries
1. Destructive ><
2. Constructive <>
3. Transform ^v
33
Subduction (def)
When two tectonic plates collide, the denser one (oceanic) goes under the less dense (continental) and absorbs into the mantle
34
Formation of fold mountains
Created when 2+ tectonic plates are pushed together
Sediment between two tectonic plates is compressed through pressure (solid rock)
Rock between the two plates is forced upwards and faulted onto fold mountains
--> Evidence: Fossils
35
Vegetation in the Alps
Zoned by altitude - less vegetation & biodiversity going up
Evergreen trees, herbs and wil flowers
Vegetation adapted to cold temperatures, shorted growing season
36
Appearance of alpine Soil
nutrient-poor rocky soil
On steep slopes: less organic matter, higher rock content, shallow light grey soil
On flat land: more organic matter, deper, more fertile and dar soil
37
Fertility of alpine soil
Only upper part without rocks is fertile
38
Organisms in the alpine soil
Decomposers (bacteria, funghi, insects) help with decomposition of plant matter
39
Loess (def)
Loosely compacted rock deposit made up of clay, sand and silt. Deposit of wind-blown sediment from alpone regions (result of glacial erosion). HIghly fertile and key to the success of the NEP
40
Key processes of Geography
Weathering / Erosion
Transportation
Deposition
41
Weathering (def)
Break-down of rock IN SITU
42
Erosion (def)
Break-down of rock during the process of MOVEMENT (rivers, glaciers, seas)
43
Types of Weathering
- Physical (Freeze-thaw, Exfoliation)
- Chemical (carbonation, oxidation)
- Biological (plants, organisms)
44
Impact of climate on weathering
Physical: Temp and Precipitation
Chemical: Precipitation, temperature (catalyst), amount of CO2 in the air
Biological: Temperature & Precipitation
45
Influence on Shape and Dimension of a river
Volume & velocity of water
Quantity and Calibre (size) of sediment load
Material of riverbed and riverbanks
The further downstream, the wider and less steep the riverbed
46
Processes of Erosion (4)
Abrasion, Attrition, Solution, Hydraulic Action
47
Processes of Transportation
Solution, Suspension, Salation, Traction
48
Hjulström curve
Significance of Velocity and Particle Size on Transportation and Deposition
--> The smaller the sediment, the easier it is to transport
--> Clay FLOCULATES and thereby needs more velocity evenhough it has very small particles
--> When velocity drops, larger sediment is deposited
49
Baseflow (def)
Level of the river WITHOUT precipitation
50
Lagtime (def)
Time between highest precipitation and highest discharge
- floodrisk
- tells us when the river wil rise
The longer the lagtime, the beter (safer)
51
Influence on flood hydrographs (6)
- Volume, duration & type of precipitation
- Slope gradient
- Shape of river (curved / straight)
- Soil / Geology (Rocktype) -> permiability (impermiable lets water through)
- Landuse: Urbanisation / Agriculture
- Vegetation
52
Thalweg (def)
line of fastest flow
53
distributaries (def)
When the river is divided into smaller flows at a delta (moving around deposit islands)
54
River Cliff (def)
Outer bend of meander (Erosion)
55
Slip-off slope (def)
Inner bend of meander (deposition)
56
Opportunities for Farming in the Alps
- Fresh water
- Biodiversity
- Isolation, calm environment
- Litlte to no pollution
57
Challenges for Farming in the Alps
- Only small layer of fertile soil (Loess)
- Limited flatland for agricuture
- Climate Change --> Chalenging conditions
58
Opportunities for Forestry in the Alps
- Creates local jobs
- Helps counter the impact of deforestation in other regions
59
Challenges for Forestry in the Alps
- Risk of Erosion and Landslides
- Sort growing season
- Wildlife / Habitat destruction
60
Opportunities for Water in the Alps
- Glaciers supply water
- Lakes / Rivers support biodiversity
- HEP
- Snow = Tourism
- Supports agriculture
61
Challenges for Water in the Alps
- Risk of floods
- Risk of avalanches
- Contamination of the source has impact on water supply downstream
62
Opportunities for Tourism in the Alps
- Job opportunities (guides)
- Wintersport, hiking
- Economic benefits
63
Opportunities for Settlement in the Alps
- Ressources in the mountains
- Fresh water & HEP
- Opportunity for Tourism
- Different rocks / minerals
64
Challenges for Tourism in the Alps
- Pollution
- Seasonal limitation
- Overcrowding
- Disturbance of wildlife
- Dependancy on tourism (economically)
65
Challenges for Settlement in the Alps
- Difficult transportation - ambulance takes longer to arrive
- Risk of natural hazards
- Towns take away vegetation & wildlife places
- Water pollution ?
66
High Pressure (def)
Sinking air (cold, very dense)
<1000
HP
67
Low Pressure (def)
Rising air (warm, less dense)
>1000
LP
68
Depression (def)
An area of low pressure which moves from west to east in the northern hemisphere
69
Precipitation (def)
Any form of water that falls from the sky
70
Wind (def)
Movement of air from HP to LP
71
Weather basics
Sun's energy heats the earth (can not heat air directly)
Sun heats earth, earth heats air above it
72
How is HP identifiable?
Where there are clouds bc they block the sun's radiation and the ground can not be heated, so the air doesn't heap up and sinks (HP)
73
Processes in a hyrological cycle (9)
1. Evapoation
2. Transpiration
3. Condensation
4. Coalescence
5. Precipitation
6. Surface run-off
7. Infiltration
8. Percolation
9. Groundwater flow
74
4 Types of rainfall
1. Convectional Rainfall
2. Orographic rainfall
3. Frontal rainfall
4. Depressional rainfall
75
Convectional rainfall
Trigger and Process
Trigger: Sun (heat)
1. Sun heats earth
2. Earth heats air above it
3. Hot air rises (less dense)
4. Air rises --> water vapour cools and condensates
5. Collection of waterdroplets as a cloud
6. Water droplets coalesce, become too heavy and fall to the ground
76
Orographic rainfall / relief rainfall
Trigger and Process
Trigger: Changing relief (higher)
1. Moisture-rich air is forced to rise bc relief means it is the only route it can take
2. Water vapor condenses as air cools - formation of clouds
3. Water droplets coalesce, mass of cloud increases (+ FEEDER)
4. Precipitation over the mountains
5. Rainshadow created on leeward side of the mountain
6. Föhn created as air sinks & temp. increases
77
Frontal Rainfall
Trigger and Process
Trigger: Two airmasses with great temperature discrepancies meet
Condition: Air acts like liquid but doesn't mix
Mostly occurs in mid-latitude regions
1. Air masses meet - warm air rises, cold air sinks
2. 45° split - warm air condensates --> cloud --> rain
78
Climate Zones (5)
- Mediterranean
- Maritime
- Continental
- Alpine
- Tundra
79
Mediterranean climate trend
Hot / dry summers
Slightly colder, rainy winters
80
Maritime climate trend
High precipitation throughout the entire year
Quite stable temperature range (5-15°C) --> sea colls and heats less fast
Rainfall constant all year
81
Continental climate trend
Warm & Wet summers
Colder, lesswert winters
Extreme temperature range between summer / winter
Convectional / Frontal rainfall
82
Tundra climate trend
Less rain in summer months than alpine climate
Temperature lower than alpine climate
83
Alpine climate trend
More precipitation in summer months
84
Factors affecting climate (6)
LATITUDE: Distance from poles / equator
ALTITUDE: Distance from the sun - temp descens by 1°C per every 100 m you go up
DISTANCE FORM THE SEA: CLimate more stable at the coast bc water takes longer to cool & heat
OCEAN CURRENTS (e.g. Golf Stream): Transport warm water
PREVAILING WINDS: "carry" weather across the continent
ASPECT: The way the slope faces (North or South)
--> s more profitable in n-hemisphere
85
How do Depressions move?
They come from the west and move to the east (Prevailing winds
86
In a depression, which airmass moves faster?
The cold one
87
Which three fronts are there in a depression?
1. Warm front
2. Cold front
3. Occluded front
88
What is an occluded front?
The end of a depression where the two airmasses (cold and warm) finally mix to form mild air
89
How dos the air spiral in the northern hemisphere?
Counterclockwise
90
Where do depression occur?
Anywhere where cold and warm air meet: Mid-latitude regions (UK)
91
What are the characteristics of a depression?
1. Wind blows anti-clockwise (in northern -hemisphere)
2. Wet: Lots of rain wherever there is a front
3. Tempreature changes:
- Warm sector brings warm temperatures
- cold sector brings cold temperatures
92
How does a depression pass?
1. Cold sector before the warm front: Sky clearing, high clouds
2. Approaching the warm sector: light drizzle
3. In the Warm front: Steady rain (warm air is forced over the cold air, condenses and presipitates
4. In the warm sector: Clear sky, dry
5. In the cold front: Heavy rain and thunder
6. In the cold sector: Showers
7. After the depression: Sky clearing
93
Front (def)
Where two air masses meet
94
Why is the rain heavier in the cold fron than the warm front?
It moves faster and rises more quickly (steeper gradient) --> Air is forced to move twice as fast resulting in greater rainfall
95
Coriolis effect (def)
Spin from the rotation of the earth, in which the depression goes (anti - clockwise)
96
