Science 2.03 Shaping the Surface Flashcards

Study Notes

Erosion and Water Dynamics

Moving water erodes soil and rocks by picking them up as it flows.
Erosion from water reshapes Earth's surface, forming features like gullies, streams, and rivers.

Glaciers Formation and Impact

Glaciers develop from accumulating snow that melts and refreezes over time.
Glacial erosion carves valleys, producing landforms such as fjords and horns.

Wind as an Erosive Force

Wind smoothens rocks through abrasion, wearing down surfaces.
Wind removes loose particles from land in a process known as deflation, lowering the terrain.
Wind carries sand to create coastal dunes, which protect shorelines.

Wave Action and Coastal Geography

Waves erode coastlines by crashing against rocks, leading to the formation of wave-cut cliffs and sea caves.
Erosion and deposition by waves can create distinctive coastal landforms, including hollow caves.

Key Landforms from Erosion and Deposition

A gully is a groove in the landscape that channels storm runoff.
Streams are waterways that continuously carry water downstream.
Meanders are loop-like bends found in rivers, while oxbow lakes are formed when a meander becomes cut off from its river.
Runoff refers to excess rainfall that moves across the ground, transporting sediment.
A spit is a beach extension into the water due to deposition, while sandbars are elongated sand ridges formed offshore from accumulated sediment.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of how moving water and glaciers shape the Earth's surface through erosion and sediment transport. These flashcards cover key definitions and processes that define our planet's geography.