Exogenic Geomorphic Processes Overview
40 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which type of mass movement involves slipping of one or several units of rock debris with backward rotation?

  • Debris slide
  • Rockslide
  • Slump (correct)
  • Landslide

    • What factor does NOT aid in increasing the likelihood of mass movements?

  • Scarcity of vegetation
  • Abundant precipitation
  • Weak unconsolidated materials
  • Weathering of materials (correct)

    • Which of the following statements is true about debris fall?

  • It involves backward rotation of materials.
  • It is a free fall from a vertical or overhanging face. (correct)
  • It occurs only in weathered materials.
  • It is a gradual movement of materials.

    • What role does gravity play in mass movements?

    <p>It aids in the occurrence of mass movements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is least likely to favor mass movements?

    <p>Dry climates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the sliding of individual rock masses down bedding, joint, or fault surfaces?

    <p>Rockslide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an activating cause of mass movements?

    <p>Thunderstorms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily determines the resistance of materials to mass movement?

    <p>Shearing resistance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one significant result of exfoliation in weathering processes?

    <p>Creation of smooth and rounded surfaces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plant roots contribute to weathering?

    <p>By mechanically breaking earth materials apart</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of weathering in the geological process?

    <p>To enrich and concentrate valuable ores</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do leaching processes primarily remove during weathering?

    <p>Valuable minerals from the surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are exfoliation domes primarily formed from?

    <p>Thermal contraction and expansion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following activities does NOT contribute to the weathering process?

    <p>Sedimentary deposition over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'denudation' primarily refer to?

    <p>The stripping off or uncovering of earth materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main driving force behind mass movements?

    <p>The influence of gravity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential outcome if weathering does not occur?

    <p>Insufficient concentration of valuable materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which climatic factors are most influential in exogenic geomorphic processes?

    <p>Temperature and precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the structure of rocks influence geomorphic processes?

    <p>It affects the resistance of rocks to various geomorphic processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following processes are included in denudation?

    <p>Weathering, erosion, transportation, and mass wasting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the differential rates of action of denudation processes on different rocks?

    <p>The type and structure of the rocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the 'imperceptibility' of exogenic geomorphic processes in a short time span?

    <p>The effects of these processes are often too subtle to notice quickly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does fatigue play in the geologic processes described in the content?

    <p>It leads to severe effects on rocks over time due to continued action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes differences in topography according to the content?

    <p>Differences in rock types, structures, and geomorphic processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary cause of landslides over steep slopes?

    <p>Natural seismic activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which movement type is specifically characterized by free falling of rock blocks?

    <p>Rock fall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a rockslide from a rock fall?

    <p>Rockslides occur from deeper layers than rock falls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is least likely to contribute to slope failure?

    <p>Consistent sunny weather</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of weathering in relation to erosion?

    <p>To aid the process of erosion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes excessive natural seepage?

    <p>Slow outflow from water bodies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process continuously changes the Earth's surface?

    <p>Erosion and weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does rock debris play in geomorphic processes?

    <p>It enhances the rate of erosion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes deposition to occur?

    <p>Loss of velocity and energy by erosional agents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing soil formation?

    <p>Marketing strategies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What materials are deposited first during the process of deposition?

    <p>Coarser materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which agents act as both erosional and depositional agents?

    <p>Running water, glaciers, wind, and waves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of mass movement in relation to soil and erosion?

    <p>Debris avalanches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do soil-forming factors interact with each other?

    <p>They act in union</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which soil-forming factor primarily refers to the geographical features of an area?

    <p>Topography</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Can erosion occur without weathering processes taking place?

    <p>No, they are interconnected processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Exogenic Geomorphic Processes

    • Processes that shape the Earth's surface from external forces like weather and climate
    • Covered under the term "denudation" which means stripping off or uncovering
    • Include: weathering, mass wasting/movements, erosion and transportation

    Denudation Processes

    • Controlled by climatic factors like temperature and precipitation
    • Intensity also depends on the type and structure of rocks, including rock type, folds, faults, and mineral composition
    • Exogenic processes operate at different rates depending on rock type and climate, leading to variations in topography
    • The effects of denudation are slow and imperceptible in the short term, but significant in the long run

    Climate and Weathering

    • Different climatic regimes have varying depths of weathering mantles as shown in Figure 5.2
    • Humic, carbonic, and other acids formed by decaying plant and animal matter enhance rock decay and solubility
    • Plant roots exert pressure on earth materials, aiding in mechanical breakdown

    Weathering and Valuable Ores

    • Weathering helps in the enrichment and concentration of valuable ores like iron, manganese, aluminium, and copper
    • The removal of materials through leaching concentrates remaining valuable materials, making them economically viable to mine

    Mass Movements

    • The transfer of rock debris down slopes under the influence of gravity
    • Movements can be slow or rapid, affecting shallow or deep columns of materials
    • Include: creep, flow, slide, and fall
    • Favored by weak unconsolidated materials, thinly bedded rocks, steep slopes, abundant precipitation, and lack of vegetation

    Types of Mass Movements

    • Slump: slipping of rock debris with backward rotation on the slope
    • Debris slide: rapid rolling or sliding of earth debris without backward rotation
    • Debris fall: free fall of earth debris from a vertical or overhanging face
    • Rockslide: sliding of individual rock masses down bedding planes, joint or fault surfaces

    Causes of Mass Movements

    • Removal of support from below
    • Increased gradient and height of slopes
    • Overloading through addition of materials
    • Saturation of slope materials due to heavy rainfall
    • Removal of material from the slope surface
    • Earthquakes, explosions, or machinery
    • Excessive natural seepage
    • Heavy drawdown of water from lakes, reservoirs, and rivers
    • Indiscriminate removal of natural vegetation

    Erosion and Deposition

    • The acquisition and transportation of rock debris by agents like running water, glaciers, wind, and waves
    • Erosion leads to a degradation of relief, wearing down the landscape
    • Deposition occurs when erosional agents lose velocity and energy on gentler slopes, resulting in the settling of transported materials

    Soil Formation

    • Five factors control soil formation: parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and time
    • These factors act in unison and influence each other

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Landforms PDF 2024-25

    Description

    Explore the key concepts of exogenic geomorphic processes including weathering, erosion, and denudation. This quiz focuses on the external forces shaping the Earth's surface, influenced by climatic factors. Understand the long-term impacts on topography and the effects of different rock types.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser