geology

• • Geology 


  different types of rocks that forms landscapes.
• • Rocks are classified as hard (or metamorphic or igneous), or soft (sedimentary). Soft rocks erode more easily.
• 5 mountainous areas in the UK:

  • grampian mountains
  • cumbrian mountains
  • pennines
  • cullin hills
  • southern uplands
• • A landscape is a place with distinctive characteristics , where human and physical processes interact. (e.g geology, features, processes and human activity.
• • Geomorphic processes : erosion, deposition, transportation, weathering.
• Three types of weathering:

  • mechanical/freeze-thaw : mainly happens because of climate change. it rains and the water freezes at night. Then the cycle repeats.
  • chemical : rain becomes slightly acidic as it falls through the atmosphere because of dissolved carbon dioxide. Soft rocks are easily dissolved by the acidity.
  • biological : plant/tree roots forcing themselves into rocks, splitting them apart. smaller plants like moss can grow bacteria on the rock's surface to break it down.
• The main elements of landscapes:

  • physical : mountains, valleys
  • water : rivers, lakes
  • living : trees, grass
  • transitory : temporary like weather, seasons
  • human : buildings, etc
• Upland areas:

  • mainly found in north and northwest of UK
  • include mountainous regions
  • examples are Grampians and the Pennines
• Lowland areas:

  • Found mainly in the south of the uk
  • includes smooth, flat landscapes
  • Examples are Cotswolds and South downs
• Where in the UK would u expect weathering to happen?

  North and Northwest of the UK, as these places are colder.
• What impact would freeze-thaw weathering have on the land and how it looks?

  It would look jagged. With water flowing into the cracks of rocks, and freezing/thawing, it eventually makes the land look rougher.
• • In the North of the uk, the climate is colder. This means freeze-thaw weathering takes place.
  • This is when it begins to rain and the water gets into cracks of rocks. And begins to freeze at night. As the cycle goes on, the cracks in rocks get larger and larger, which is the reason for the jagged landscape. (give examples of locations).
• • In the south of the UK, the climate is warm. Meaning the climate is not cold enough for weathering to take place.
• Name 5 lowland landscapes in the uk

  • Cotswolds
  • South downs
  • The fens
  • North downs
  • Dartmour
• Some features of glaciation in upland landscapes:

  • V shaped valley
  • ribbon lakes
  • Valley glacier
• Some features of glaciation in lowlands:

  • A dry valley
• • During the ice age : water below ground in the chalk is frozen throughout the year (permafrost). Rivers flow over the surface of the chalk (which is normally permeable). Water in the valley erodes chalk to form a valley.
• • After the ice age : the permafrost thaws out and the chalk becomes permeable again. Rainwater moves through the chalk and no longer flows over the surface. The river disappears, leaving a dry valley on the surface.
• Geomorphic 


  a change in the earth landscapes. Geo means earth and morphic means change.
• Erosion


  The wearing away , or removal of broken rock.
• Transportation


  Carries away eroded materials.
• Deposition


  leaves transported material behind, building up new land.
• 4 types of erosion:

  • hydraulic action
  • abrasion
  • attrition
  • solution
• Hydraulic action


  the force of water against the coast. The waves enter the cracks in the coastline, compressing the air within and breaking the rock up.
• Attrition


  rocks and pebbles smashing against eachother, wearing them down into smaller pieces.
• Abrasion


  rocks/materials carried by the water, and smashing into the coast (from the seabed) , wearing it away.
• Solution(erosion)


  (soft) rocks dissolving slowly in water.
• 4 types of transportation:

  • traction
  • saltation
  • suspension
  • solution
• traction 


  large boulders and rocks being rolled over the bottom of the riverbed.
• Saltation


  smaller rocks and pebbles being bounced (like a basketball) along the riverbed.
• Suspension


  material hovering and floating in the water. (like it being suspended)
• Solution (transport)


  the dissolved material carried in the water.