Geology: Chemical Weathering and Erosion
37 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

What is chemical weathering primarily concerned with?

  • Formation of new rocks from sediments
  • Physical alteration of rock
  • Movement of rocks under gravity
  • Disintegration and decomposition of rock masses (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT recognized as a chemical reaction involved in weathering?

  • Hydration
  • Sedimentation (correct)
  • Oxidation
  • Carbonation

    • What type of agents contribute to the biological weathering of rocks?

  • Minerals and metals
  • Heat and pressure
  • Wind and water
  • Floral and faunal agents (correct)

    • Which process describes the movement of fragmented material down a slope due to gravity?

    <p>Mass movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three phases of work performed by exogenic processes?

    <p>Erosion, transportation, and deposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an anthropogenic factor affecting the rock structure?

    <p>Mining activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of hydrolysis in chemical weathering?

    <p>It leads to chemical reactions that change rock composition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following processes does NOT contribute to erosion?

    <p>Mechanical pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that influences the degree of abrasion during the erosion process?

    <p>Nature of erosional agents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process is responsible for the dissolution of soluble materials in carbonate rocks?

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

    What term describes the removal of dry and loose particles by wind?

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

    How do streams transport materials downstream?

    <p>By dissolving elements into water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the deposition process when a transporting agent loses energy?

    <p>Sediments settle or accumulate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which landforms are primarily shaped by endogenic forces?

    <p>Continents and ocean basins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a characteristic of hydraulic action?

    <p>Requires erosion tools</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement describes wind's role in sediment transport?

    <p>Carries finer particles over long distances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes folded mountains in their formation?

    <p>Created by the folding of crustal rocks due to compressive forces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a block mountain?

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

    Dome mountains are primarily formed by which geological process?

    <p>Magmatic intrusions and upwarping</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Volcanic mountains are also known as which type of mountains?

    <p>Mountains of Accumulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process leads to the formation of relict or residual mountains?

    <p>Erosion of soft rocks leaving hard rocks standing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much of the Earth's surface do mountains cover approximately?

    <p>27%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The classification of mountains based on their mode of origin includes which group?

    <p>Folded mountains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is typical of the topography of steep mountains?

    <p>Significant exposed bedrock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of a plateau?

    <p>Extensive area of flat upland with steep slopes surrounding it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a significance of plateaus?

    <p>Formation of fertile plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of plateau is the Tibetan Plateau classified as?

    <p>Intermontane Plateau</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mineral is notably found in the Plateau of Western Australia?

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

    What height is commonly associated with plateaus?

    <p>Typically between 600 and 3600 meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a piedmont plateau?

    <p>A plateau located at the foot of a mountain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a notable feature of plains?

    <p>Generally flat land surface with gentle slopes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following regions is known for having significant plateaus?

    <p>Western Australia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of plain is formed by the uplift of a part of the sea-floor or continental shelf?

    <p>Structural Plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe plains that are formed through prolonged erosion of upland areas?

    <p>Erosional Plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following plains arises from lake sediments?

    <p>Lacustrine Plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a benefit of plains?

    <p>Fertile soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of plain is formed by wind-deposited fine dust in arid regions?

    <p>Loess Plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Chemical Weathering and Mass Movements

    • Chemical weathering disintegrates and decomposes rock through chemical reactions (oxidation, solution, hydration, carbonation, chelation, hydrolysis).
    • Biological agents, including plants, burrowing animals, and human activities (mining, deforestation), contribute to changes in rock structure.
    • Mass movement refers to gravity-induced movement of debris or rock down slopes.

    Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition

    • Exogenic processes encompass erosion, transportation, and deposition of materials.
    • Corrasion (abrasion) removes loosened rock materials by erosional forces like rivers, wind, and glaciers.
    • Corrosion dissolves soluble materials, especially carbonate rocks, through water action.
    • Hydraulic action loosens rock via the pressure of water currents without erosion tools.
    • Deflation involves wind removing dry, loose sand and dust.
    • Sediment transportation varies by agent: streams dissolve materials in water, sea waves cycle sediments, wind carries fine particles, and glaciers transport debris.
    • Sediments deposit when transporting agents lose energy, forming features like sand dunes and moraines.

    Resultant Major Landforms

    • Earth's surface features are shaped by endogenic (internal) and exogenic (external) forces, categorized into three orders:
      • First order: large-scale features (continents, ocean basins).
      • Second order: structural landforms (mountains, plateaus, plains).
      • Third order: micro-level landforms (valleys, cliffs, dunes, deltas).

    Mountains

    • Mountains, covering 27% of Earth's surface, are elevated landforms with steep sides.
    • Classified by origin:
      • Folded mountains form from crustal folding due to compressive forces (e.g., Himalayas).
      • Block mountains result from faulting (e.g., Vosges, Black Forest).
      • Dome mountains arise from magmatic intrusions (e.g., Weald).
      • Volcanic mountains form from volcanic material accumulation (e.g., Mount Fuji).
      • Residual mountains result from erosion of softer rocks, leaving harder rock standing (e.g., Nilgiris in India).
    • Significance of mountains includes resource storage, water sources, hydroelectricity generation, biodiversity hotspots, and cultural importance.

    Plateaus

    • Plateaus are extensive flat uplands, covering about 18% of Earth's surface, characterized by low relief and varying altitudes.
    • Classified by location and structure:
      • Intermontane plateaus are bordered by mountains (e.g., Tibetan Plateau).
      • Piedmont plateaus lie at mountain foot, surrounded by plains (e.g., Malwa in India).
    • Significance of plateaus includes mineral resources, waterfalls, cool climates, and agricultural opportunities.

    Plains

    • Plains are low-lying, flat areas with an average height of less than 200 meters, formed through structural, erosional, or depositional processes.
    • Structural plains are formed from sea-floor uplift (e.g., southeastern US plains).
    • Erosional plains develop from erosion of uplands (e.g., Canadian Shield).
    • Depositional plains include riverine plains (e.g., Indo-Gangetic Plain), lacustrine plains (e.g., Kashmir Valley), glacial plains (e.g., Canada), and loess plains (e.g., Northwestern China).
    • Plains are significant for fertile soils, improved transportation, favorable climates, industrial development, and the rise of civilizations.

    Studying That Suits You

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

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Explore the concepts of chemical weathering, mass movements, and exogenic processes in geology. This quiz covers the effects of biological agents and various transport mechanisms on rock structures. Test your understanding of these essential processes in shaping the Earth's surface.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser