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Questions and Answers
What is flux melting primarily caused by?
What is flux melting primarily caused by?
Which process involves the solidification of magma beneath the Earth's surface?
Which process involves the solidification of magma beneath the Earth's surface?
What characterizes volcanism in terms of geological activity?
What characterizes volcanism in terms of geological activity?
What concept did James Hutton contribute to the study of igneous rocks?
What concept did James Hutton contribute to the study of igneous rocks?
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In what geological setting is heat transfer likely to occur?
In what geological setting is heat transfer likely to occur?
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Which of the following best describes metamorphism?
Which of the following best describes metamorphism?
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How does flux melting affect the temperature at which rock melts?
How does flux melting affect the temperature at which rock melts?
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What evidence indicates the release of internal heat from the Earth?
What evidence indicates the release of internal heat from the Earth?
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What is the primary component of magma?
What is the primary component of magma?
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Which process describes the melting of mantle rock due to a decrease in pressure?
Which process describes the melting of mantle rock due to a decrease in pressure?
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Where does decompression melting predominantly occur?
Where does decompression melting predominantly occur?
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What does the transfer of heat process involve?
What does the transfer of heat process involve?
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What happens to magma as it solidifies in the crust?
What happens to magma as it solidifies in the crust?
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What is the effect of lower pressure on the melting point of rocks?
What is the effect of lower pressure on the melting point of rocks?
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What are mantle plumes associated with in the context of magma formation?
What are mantle plumes associated with in the context of magma formation?
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Which component of magma is primarily responsible for its mobility?
Which component of magma is primarily responsible for its mobility?
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What type of metamorphism is characterized by the sliding of rock material between faults?
What type of metamorphism is characterized by the sliding of rock material between faults?
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Which type of metamorphism is primarily influenced by hydrothermal fluids?
Which type of metamorphism is primarily influenced by hydrothermal fluids?
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What type of metamorphism occurs over large areas and is associated with non-hydrostatic stress conditions?
What type of metamorphism occurs over large areas and is associated with non-hydrostatic stress conditions?
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Which metamorphic process occurs due to the impact of extraterrestrial materials?
Which metamorphic process occurs due to the impact of extraterrestrial materials?
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What type of metamorphism results from the burial of rock to significant depths?
What type of metamorphism results from the burial of rock to significant depths?
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What type of geomorphic process occurs primarily on the Earth's surface and modifies relief?
What type of geomorphic process occurs primarily on the Earth's surface and modifies relief?
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Which process results in the breaking down of rocks without any change in their chemical composition?
Which process results in the breaking down of rocks without any change in their chemical composition?
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Which factor influences the angle of repose, affecting the stability of slopes?
Which factor influences the angle of repose, affecting the stability of slopes?
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What is the primary effect of excessive rainfall on mass wasting events?
What is the primary effect of excessive rainfall on mass wasting events?
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Which degradation process involves the erosion and transportation of earth materials?
Which degradation process involves the erosion and transportation of earth materials?
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What term describes the mixture of rocks, weathered materials, organic matter, water, and air?
What term describes the mixture of rocks, weathered materials, organic matter, water, and air?
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Which type of weathering results from a chemical change in rock minerals?
Which type of weathering results from a chemical change in rock minerals?
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In transportation processes, which agent typically moves fine sediments?
In transportation processes, which agent typically moves fine sediments?
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Which of the following is a type of endogenous geomorphic process?
Which of the following is a type of endogenous geomorphic process?
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What is the main characteristic of biological weathering?
What is the main characteristic of biological weathering?
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Which of the following describes the process of deposition?
Which of the following describes the process of deposition?
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What is a primary characteristic of mass wasting?
What is a primary characteristic of mass wasting?
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Which weathering process is necessary for producing regolith?
Which weathering process is necessary for producing regolith?
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Study Notes
Geomorphic Processes
- Geomorphic processes are physical processes that create and modify landforms on Earth's surface
- They can be categorized as endogenous (internal) or exogenous (external) processes
- Exogenous processes (gradational) modify Earth's surface relief through degradation and aggradation
- Degradation involves processes like weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and transportation
- Aggradation involves processes like deposition (by rivers, streams, glaciers, and coasts)
Degradation Processes
- Denudation: The process of wearing down landforms
- Weathering: The breakdown of rocks and minerals in situ (without being moved)
- Mass wasting: The downslope movement of rock and soil due to gravity
- Erosion: The wearing away of rocks and soil by natural forces
- Transportation: The movement of eroded material (sediment)
Erosion
- Earth materials are worn away by natural forces
- A type of mass wasting, involving normal movement
Transportation
- The process of moving eroded sediment
Deposition
- Eroded rocks and sediments settle somewhere new
Aggradation Processes
- Deposition by rivers and streams
- Sedimentation occurs in fluvial, glacial, and coastal environments
Weathering
- The disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ (without being moved)
- Creates regolith (loose materials from rocks)
- Involves mechanical (physical) or chemical disintegration and decomposition
- Fragments rock into smaller components which stay in place
- Happens in microscopic spaces, cracks, joints, faults, fractures, lava vesicles, and other rock cavities
Types of Weathering
- Physical (Mechanical) Weathering: Disintegration of rocks due to elements such as high temperatures, extreme cold (freeze-thaw cycles)
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Chemical Weathering: Decomposition of rocks by chemical mechanisms
- Oxidation: Important in iron-rich rocks (rust)
- Hydrolysis: Igneous rocks react with water
- Carbonation/Solution: Carbon dioxide in water reacts with carbonate rocks, creating soluble products
Biological Weathering
- Weakening and disintegration of rock by plants, animals, and microbes
Mass Wasting
- Downslope movement of rock, soil, and other debris due to gravity
- Affected by factors like the speed of movement, the type of material, nature of movement, water, soil cover, and geologic features
Factors Affecting Mass Wasting
- Angle of Repose: The highest angle that a slope of unconsolidated sediment can achieve without sliding
Water
- Moist sand can have a steeper angle of repose as water fills spaces and increases cohesion
- Too much water, the grains slide past each other, leading to a lower angle of repose
Soil Cover
- Expansion and contraction of soil containing clay minerals affects the stability
- Increases the susceptibility to mass wasting
Geologic Features
- Structures (beddings, joints, and faults) affecting stability, and potentially increase potential for slides
- Bedding planes weaken the rock structures
- Potential for slides affected by the presence of joints and faults in the rock
Triggering Events
- Earthquakes and excessive rainfall
- Volcanic eruptions increase the potential for slides
Endogenous Processes
- Geomorphic processes beneath the Earth's surface
- Create large-scale landforms; include tectonic and igneous processes
-
Tectonic Processes: (Diastrophism)
- Folding (anticlines, synclines, mountains)
- Faulting (rift valleys, strike-slip faults)
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Igneous Processes:
- Volcanism (volcanic eruptions)
- Plutonism (igneous intrusions)
- Earthquakes
Magma
- Molten or semi-molten rock mixture found under the Earth's surface
- Usually comprised of a hot liquid base, crystallized minerals, incorporated solid rocks, and dissolved gases
Decompression Melting
- Upward movement of Earth's mostly-solid mantle causes decompression
- Pressure reduction enables mantle rock to melt and form magma (often at divergent boundaries, like rift valleys, which create spaces for rising magma)
- Can also occur at mantle plumes (hot spots) that rise from Earth's high pressure core to its lower-pressure crust
Flux Melting
- Adding water or carbon dioxide to rock lowers melting temperatures, creating magma. Common at subduction zones.
Plutonism
- Intrusive igneous rock formation beneath the Earth's surface
Volcanism
- Molten rock discharge or discharge of pyroclastic fragments or hot water/steam
Metamorphism
- Change in rock composition and structure, caused by extreme heat or pressure
- Types include:
- Contact, cataclastic, hydrothermal, regional, and burial metamorphisms.
- Shock/Impact Metamorphism due to external stresses (e.g., impacts by meteorite or other large bodies, large volcanic eruptions)
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Description
This quiz explores geomorphic processes that shape the Earth's surface, focusing on degradation and aggradation. You'll learn about key aspects like weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and the mechanisms of transportation of eroded materials. Discover how these processes interact to create the landscapes we see today.
