Geomorphology Concepts

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Download our mobile app to listen on the go

Get App

Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a geomorphic threshold?

The slow, continuous creep of soil particles down a gentle slope due to gravity.
The consistent freeze-thaw action in mountain regions, leading to predictable rock fracturing.
A river gradually widening its channel over many years due to consistent sediment deposition.
A stable hillside that suddenly collapses in a landslide after prolonged heavy rainfall. (correct)

In what way does the principle of uniformitarianism guide geomorphic studies?

It assumes that all landforms evolve through a fixed sequence of stages.
It proposes that the same geological processes observed today have shaped Earth's surface throughout geologic time. (correct)
It argues that the Earth's surface has remained relatively unchanged over vast periods of time.
It suggests that catastrophic events are the primary drivers of landscape evolution.

Which of these scenarios exemplifies the process of exfoliation?

The cracking of rocks due to the repeated expansion and contraction of freezing water.
The peeling of layers from a granite boulder after the overlying rock has been removed, reducing pressure. (correct)
The dissolving of limestone bedrock by acidic groundwater, creating a cave system.
The gradual wearing down of a riverbed by the constant abrasion of sediment.

Why is water erosion considered the dominant agent of erosion on a global scale?

Because water is abundant and its erosive power manifests in various forms (rain splash, sheet, rill, gully, and stream erosion). (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which channel type is most likely to be influenced by the underlying geology?

Straight channels (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a lateral moraine and a medial moraine?

Lateral moraines form along the sides of a glacier, while medial moraines form in the center from the merging of lateral moraines. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do coral reefs contribute to shaping coastal landforms?

By constructing underwater structures that modify wave energy and provide habitat. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor distinguishes parabolic dunes from barchan dunes?

Parabolic dunes are stabilized by vegetation, with horns anchored by plants, while barchan dunes are typically found in areas with sparse vegetation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the dissolution of limestone contribute to the formation of karst landforms?

It forms underground cavities and sinkholes through the chemical weathering of the rock. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the dynamic equilibrium model explain landform evolution?

Landscapes are systems that constantly adjust to changes in controlling factors, maintaining a state of dynamic equilibrium. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Geomorphology

The study of Earth's landforms and processes shaping them, focusing on origin, evolution, and distribution.

Uniformitarianism

The principle that current geological processes also occurred in the past.