Topic 4 UK's Physical Environment

Question 1

What physical processes shape the UK’s landscape?

Answer 1

Weathering, erosion, deposition, glaciation, tectonic processes.

Question 2

What are the main rock types found in the UK?

Answer 2

Sedimentary (chalk, limestone), igneous (granite), metamorphic (schists, slates).

Question 3

What coastal processes create landforms like cliffs, spits, and bays?

Answer 3

Erosion (hydraulic action, abrasion), transportation (longshore drift), and deposition.

Question 4

How does human activity impact coastal landscapes?

Answer 4

Coastal management (sea walls, groynes) alters natural processes, sometimes causing conflicts.

Question 5

What processes shape river landscapes?

Answer 5

Erosion (vertical and lateral), transportation (traction, saltation), and deposition.

Question 6

Why is river flooding increasing in the UK?

Answer 6

Urbanisation, climate change (more intense rainfall), land-use changes.

Question 7

How can river flooding be managed?

Answer 7

Hard engineering (flood barriers, embankments) and soft engineering (floodplain restoration).

Question 8

What landforms are created by erosion along the coast?

Answer 8

Cliffs, wave-cut platforms, arches, stacks, stumps.

Question 9

How are beaches and spits formed?

Answer 9

By deposition from longshore drift moving material along the coast.

Question 10

What factors influence the shape of river valleys?

Answer 10

Upper course – steep, V-shaped valleys; lower course – wide, flat floodplains.

Question 11

What is a meander and how does it form?

Answer 11

A bend in a river formed by lateral erosion and deposition.

Question 12

What are oxbow lakes?

Answer 12

Curved lakes formed when a meander is cut off from the river.

Question 13

What coastal management strategies are used in England?

Answer 13

Hard engineering (sea walls, groynes) and soft engineering (beach nourishment, managed retreat).

Question 14

What is the impact of flooding on the UK?

Answer 14

Flooding affects homes, agriculture, infrastructure; it increases insurance costs and damages local economies.

Question 15

How does the process of glaciation impact the landscape?

Answer 15

Glaciers shape valleys, create U-shaped valleys, and deposit sediment to form features like drumlins and moraines.

Question 16

What are some common landforms created by river processes?

Answer 16

Meanders, ox-bow lakes, floodplains, and deltas are formed through erosion and deposition by rivers.

Question 17

What factors lead to river flooding?

Answer 17

Urbanisation (reduced infiltration), heavy rainfall, deforestation, and poor land management.

Question 18

What landforms are associated with the Snowdonia region?

Answer 18

Glacial features, such as U-shaped valleys, corries, and moraines, are common in Snowdonia.

Question 19

What is the geology like in the Cheshire Plain?

Answer 19

The Cheshire Plain is mainly made up of sedimentary rocks such as sandstones and shales.

Question 20

How does the weather in the UK contribute to weathering and erosion?

Answer 20

Rainfall, freeze-thaw cycles, and wind contribute to physical, chemical, and biological weathering.

Question 21

What is the importance of the Weald in terms of geological history?

Answer 21

The Weald has important geological formations and is rich in clay, which contributes to its landscape features.

Question 22

How do human settlements affect river landscapes?

Answer 22

Urban development, damming, and channelisation can change river flow and sedimentation.

Question 23

What is the significance of Scafell Pike in the Lake District?

Answer 23

Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England, shaped by glacial processes.

Question 24

How does coastal erosion affect places like the Weald?

Answer 24

Erosion along the coast in the Weald can lead to the loss of land and property, especially during storms.

Question 25

How does the physical landscape of Snowdonia differ from the Cheshire Plain?

Answer 25

Snowdonia has mountainous terrain with glacial features, while the Cheshire Plain is mostly flat, with sedimentary rock deposits.

Question 26

What are the physical characteristics of Snowdonia?

Answer 26

Snowdonia is a mountainous region with rugged peaks, deep valleys, glacial lakes (e.g., Llyn Gwynant), and cliffs, with Snowdon being the highest mountain in Wales.

Question 27

How has glaciation affected the landscape of Cheshire Plain?

Answer 27

Glaciation created a flatter, lower-lying landscape with fertile soil, but left behind glacial features such as drumlins, moraines, and glacial till.

Question 28

What impact has weathering had on Snowdonia?

Answer 28

Weathering, especially freeze-thaw action, has contributed to the breakdown of rock, creating jagged peaks, scree slopes, and deep valleys.

Question 29

How do tectonic forces influence the landscape of the Weald?

Answer 29

Tectonic forces have formed anticlines and synclines in the Weald, creating a landscape of ridges and valleys.

Question 30

How does the physical geography of Scafell Pike attract tourists?

Answer 30

Scafell Pike’s rugged terrain, steep climbs, and panoramic views attract hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Question 31

What role do rivers play in shaping the landscape of Snowdonia?

Answer 31

Rivers in Snowdonia, such as the River Conwy, carve through valleys, shaping the landscape by erosion and transporting sediment.

Question 32

How does human activity impact Snowdonia's natural landscape?

Answer 32

Human activities like tourism, farming, and quarrying have altered the natural landscape, with environmental pressures like erosion and littering.

Question 33

How do climate and weather patterns affect the physical landscape of Cheshire Plain?

Answer 33

Wet weather and seasonal rainfall lead to waterlogged soils and river flooding, while dry spells influence agriculture.

Question 34

How do glaciation processes influence the landscape around Scafell Pike?

Answer 34

Glaciation shaped the U-shaped valleys and rugged peaks, creating stunning features such as cirques, moraines, and tarns.

Question 35

How do geological features in the Weald influence the region’s landscape?

Answer 35

The Weald’s geology of soft clays and hard limestone creates an undulating landscape with valleys and hills, influencing water drainage and land use.

Question 36

What impact does tourism have on the landscape of the Lake District?

Answer 36

Tourism in the Lake District brings both economic benefits and environmental challenges, including footpath erosion and waste management issues.

Question 37

How has the river network in Snowdonia shaped its valleys?

Answer 37

Rivers in Snowdonia have eroded valleys, creating dramatic U-shaped valleys and stunning glacial features.

Question 38

What impact does coastal erosion have on the Weald?

Answer 38

Coastal erosion along the Weald’s coastline has led to loss of land and coastal habitats, affecting both the environment and local industries.

Question 39

How does land use in the Cheshire Plain affect its physical landscape?

Answer 39

The Cheshire Plain is predominantly agricultural, with the land shaped by arable farming and livestock grazing, leading to a flat and open landscape.

Question 40

How does human settlement in the Lake District affect physical features?

Answer 40

Urban development, tourism, and agriculture in the Lake District have caused environmental degradation, including footpath erosion, water pollution, and habitat loss.

Question 41

How has weathering influenced the physical landscape of the Weald?

Answer 41

Weathering has contributed to the erosion of soft rock, leading to the formation of valleys and cliffs in the Weald region.

Question 42

How do upland areas in Snowdonia impact human activities?

Answer 42

Upland areas are used for sheep farming and tourism, but the challenging terrain and harsh weather limit development and infrastructure.

Question 43

How has glaciation influenced landforms in the Lake District?

Answer 43

Glaciation formed classic landforms such as tarns, U-shaped valleys, and sharp ridgelines in the Lake District.

Question 44

How does human activity affect coastal areas like Snowdonia?

Answer 44

Coastal development and tourism have led to habitat disruption, increased litter, and infrastructure changes, which impact the natural coastal landscape.