Physical Geography Exam 3 Summary
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Questions and Answers

What is fluvial geomorphology primarily concerned with?

  • The study of glacial movements
  • How rivers and streams interact with their environment (correct)
  • Ocean currents and tides
  • The formation of mountain ranges

Which of the following is NOT a method of erosion experienced by streams?

  • Solution
  • Abrasion
  • Hydraulic action
  • Glacial flow (correct)

What is the term for the study of the physical features of the Earth and their relation to geological structures?

  • Geomorphology (correct)
  • Hydrology
  • Volcanology
  • Climatology

An alluvial fan is typically formed at the base of which geographical feature?

<p>Mountain or steep slope (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a landform with high relief?

<p>A mountain range (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological activity involves the melting, movement, and cooling of molten rock?

<p>Igneous process (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a braided stream?

<p>Multiple interwoven channels (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering involves the physical breaking down of rocks?

<p>Mechanical weathering (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In glaciology, what is the core of ablation?

<p>The lower part where ice loss occurs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when large rock masses expand and break apart due to pressure changes?

<p>Unloading weathering (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glacier is found in mountainous regions?

<p>Alpine glacier (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when ice accumulation exceeds ablation?

<p>The glacier expands (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor enhances surface runoff in a landscape?

<p>Steep slopes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the formation of a crevasse in a glacier?

<p>Stress from ice movement over uneven terrain (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the downward movement of rock and soil due to gravity?

<p>Mass wasting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is characterized by water seeping into rock cracks, freezing, and widening those cracks?

<p>Freeze-thaw weathering (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of sediment in fluvial geomorphology?

<p>To shape landforms through deposition and erosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines an oxbow lake?

<p>A crescent-shaped lake left from a meandering river (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an aquifer best described as?

<p>A geological formation that stores water underground (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are earthquakes measured?

<p>Richter scale (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a landform with low relief?

<p>It is relatively flat. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering involves the alteration of minerals making them chemically different?

<p>Chemical weathering (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of mass wasting?

<p>Soil and rock sliding down a slope (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological structure occurs when rock layers fold into an arch-like shape?

<p>Anticline (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What enhances infiltration into the soil?

<p>High soil organic matter content (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the breaking down of rocks due to temperature changes?

<p>Freeze-thaw weathering (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the rate of surface runoff related to infiltration?

<p>They are inversely related. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of geological formation stores and provides water underground?

<p>Aquifer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fracture or crack in the Earth's crust that allows for movement?

<p>Fault (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the initiating cause of earthquakes?

<p>Movement along a fault line (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an alluvial fan primarily characterized by?

<p>A cone-shaped deposit of sediment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT a method of stream erosion?

<p>Thermal expansion of water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a river meanders and cuts off a loop?

<p>An oxbow lake is formed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterizes a braided stream?

<p>Multiple intertwining channels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines the core of accumulation in a glacier?

<p>Area with more snow accumulation than melting (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that influences glacier movement?

<p>Internal deformation and basal sliding (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the process of sediment being deposited in a new location?

<p>Deposition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the ablation of a glacier?

<p>Ice is lost through various processes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a crevasse in a glacier?

<p>To allow for ice movement and stress release (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a glacier as being an alpine glacier?

<p>It forms in mountainous regions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes mechanical weathering?

<p>It breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemistry. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which geological feature is characterized by significant elevation changes and uneven terrain?

<p>High relief landform (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of unloading weathering?

<p>Expansion and fracturing of rocks upon exposure to pressure release (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a geographical context, what does the term 'syncline' refer to?

<p>A downward fold in rock layers with younger rocks at the center (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most significantly increases the risk of surface runoff?

<p>Soil compaction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism primarily drives mass wasting events?

<p>Force of gravity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of aquifer is primarily composed of impermeable rock layers that do not allow water to flow freely?

<p>Confined aquifer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes primarily leads to the formation of an alluvial fan?

<p>Sediment deposition due to abrupt slope reduction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which weathering process involves the growth of salt crystals causing rock degradation?

<p>Salt crystal growth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary inverse relationship between infiltration and surface runoff indicative of?

<p>Higher infiltration reduces the volume of runoff (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an erosional landform and a depositional landform?

<p>Erosional landforms are results of material being removed from the landscape. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is responsible for the formation of a braided stream pattern?

<p>Variability in sediment supply and discharge. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is typical of the core of ablation in a glacier?

<p>Hight rates of ice melting and weathering. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary cause for the formation of an alluvial fan?

<p>Rapid changes in elevation causing sediment deposition. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the difference between internal deformation and basal sliding in glaciers?

<p>Basal sliding relates to movement of ice over the bedrock. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the concept of 'crevasse' in glaciology?

<p>It highlights fractures that form due to ice movement and stress. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions would a glacier primarily experience ablation?

<p>When it is located in a region with high summer temperatures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glacier is characterized by flow primarily occurring in a mountainous region?

<p>Valley glaciers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental change does it indicate when accumulation exceeds ablation in a glacier?

<p>The glacier is advancing and gaining mass. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fluvial geomorphology

The study of how rivers and streams are shaped by the interaction of water, sediment, and the landscape.

Fluvial landform

A geographical feature shaped by the action of flowing water.

Erosion

The process of soil, ash, or other material being worn away.

Abrasion

Erosion caused by particles grinding against each other.

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Hydraulic action

Erosion caused by the force of water breaking rock pieces.

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Solution

Erosion caused by dissolving minerals from the bedrock.

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Erosional landform

A geographical feature shaped by the process of erosion.

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Depositional landform

A geographical feature created when sediment is deposited and accumulates.

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Alluvial fan

A cone-shaped deposit of sediment formed at the base of a mountain where a river slows down.

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Oxbow lake

A crescent-shaped lake formed when a meandering river cuts off a loop in its channel.

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Geomorphology

The study of the Earth's physical features and their relationship to geological structures.

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Topography

The study of the Earth's surface features, focusing on elevation changes and landforms.

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Relief

The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a landscape.

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Igneous Process

Geological activity involving melting, movement, and cooling of molten rock.

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Anticline

A fold of rock layers forming an arch-like shape on each side.

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Syncline

A fold of rock layers with younger layers in the center.

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Fault

A fracture in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred between rock blocks.

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Weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces at or near the Earth's surface.

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Erosion, Transportation, Deposition

The process of moving weathered material (erosion), transporting it (transportation), and dropping it in a new location (deposition).

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Aquifer

A geological formation that stores and provides water by holding it underground.

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Mechanical Weathering

The physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

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Chemical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions.

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Braided stream

A river with multiple, intertwining channels that create a braided pattern. This occurs when the river's water flows rapidly and carries a lot of sediment, causing the channels to split and recombine.

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Alluvium

Sediment deposited by a river or stream. It's typically found in valleys and floodplains, creating fertile soil for agriculture.

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Collovium

Sediment deposited by gravity, often found at the base of slopes. It's common in mountainous regions.

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Internal deformation

A process where ice within a glacier flows due to pressure and gravity, causing the ice to deform and move.

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Basal sliding

A process where a glacier moves over bedrock due to the meltwater lubricating the base, allowing the glacier to slide.

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Alpine glacier

A glacier that forms in a mountainous region and flows downhill along valleys. They are smaller than ice sheets.

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Ice sheet

A vast, continental-scale glacier that covers a large area of land, often many thousands of square kilometers. They are much larger than alpine glaciers.

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Accumulation

The process of gaining snow and transforming it into ice on a glacier. This happens primarily in the upper, colder part where more snow falls than melts.

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Crevasse

Deep cracks in a glacier that form as a result of the ice's movement over uneven terrain. This occurs when the ice is stretched or pulled apart.

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What is fluvial geomorphology?

The study of how rivers and streams are shaped by the interaction of water, sediment, and the landscape. It explores how these forces create, change, and maintain river systems.

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What are the three main types of erosion?

  1. Abrasion: Particles grinding against each other. Imagine sandpaper roughening a surface.
  2. Hydraulic action: The force of water breaking rock pieces apart. Think of a powerful water jet breaking a rock.
  3. Solution: Dissolving minerals from the bedrock. Think of how acid slowly dissolves a piece of chalk.
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What's an alluvial fan?

A cone-shaped deposit of sediment that forms at the base of a mountain or steep slope where a fast-flowing river suddenly empties onto a flatter plain, causing the water to slow down and deposit the sediment it was carrying.

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What is an oxbow lake?

A crescent-shaped lake that forms when a meandering river cuts off a loop in its channel, leaving the old loop as a lake.

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What is a braided stream?

A multi-threaded channel that branches and merges to create the characteristic braided pattern. This usually occurs when the river carries a lot of sediment and flows rapidly.

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What are the two ways ice flows in a glacier?

  1. Internal deformation: Ice flows due to pressure and gravity, causing the ice to deform and move.
  2. Basal sliding: The glacier slides over bedrock lubricated by meltwater.
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What is the core of accumulation?

The area at higher elevations on a glacier where more snow accumulates than melts. This is the 'gaining' area.

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What is the core of ablation?

The lower part of a glacier where most ice is lost through weathering, sublimation, and calving. This is the 'losing' area.

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What is a crevasse?

A deep crack or fracture in a glacier caused by stress as the ice moves over terrain, causing the ice to break apart.

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What happens when accumulation exceeds ablation?

The glacier grows and advances due to more snow accumulating than melting.

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Study Notes

Physical Geography Exam 3 Summary

  • Geomorphology: The study of Earth's physical features and their geological structures. Topography studies Earth's surface features. Relief refers to elevation differences. Low relief is relatively flat, high relief has significant elevation changes. Relief is a key concept in evaluating topographic features.

  • Igneous Processes: Involve the melting, movement, and cooling of molten rock (magma). Syncline is a rock fold with younger layers at the center. Fault is a fracture in Earth's crust with movement. Earthquakes measure magnitude on a scale. Different igneous processes result in varied landforms.

  • Weathering: The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces. Mechanical weathering (e.g., unloading, freeze-thaw) physically alters rocks. Chemical weathering alters rocks' chemical composition. Erosion, transportation, and deposition are processes shaping Earth's surface through these changes and moving debris to new locations. Weathering rates are affected by climate, rock type, and presence of water. Types of weathering: mechanical (e.g., unloading, freeze-thaw) and chemical.

  • Fluvial Processes (Ch 13): Rivers/streams shape landscapes by carrying rocks and soil. Relationship between infiltration and surface runoff is significant. Factors influencing infiltration include soil moisture content, good vegetation cover, gentle slopes. Factors affecting surface runoff include land contours, steep slopes, soil compaction, and poor vegetation cover. Aquifers store and provide water, holding it in porous rocks and sediment. River processes influence landscape evolution.

  • Glacial Processes (Ch 14): Fluvial Geomorphology studies how rivers shape landscapes. Erosion is the wearing away of soil, sediment, or other material. Depositional features result from sediment deposition from water, wind, or ice. Examples include alluvial fans (sediment deposits at mountain bases) and oxbow lakes (crescent-shaped lakes formed from meandering rivers). Depositional landforms are shaped by sediment.

  • Glaciers (Ch 16): Glaciers flow through two mechanisms: Internal deformation and Basal sliding. Alpine glaciers (mountain glaciers) and Ice sheets (continental glaciers). Ablation is where ice is lost, and accumulation is where snow builds up. Crevasses are deep cracks in glaciers. Moraines are ridges of rock and sediment deposited by glaciers. Glacial processes significantly impact topography. Ice movement and deposition modify the landscape. Ablation exceeds accumulation, ice retreats. Accumulation exceeds ablation, ice advances.

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Description

This quiz covers the key concepts of geomorphology, igneous processes, and weathering as they pertain to Earth's physical geography. Understand the significance of relief, rock folding, and the processes of erosion and fluvial systems. Prepare to explore how these elements shape our environment.

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