Erosion and Landscape Change Flashcard

Front

What are sedimentary rocks and what is a key characteristic of them?

Back

Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of sediments. A key characteristic is that they can contain fossils, which provide information about past environments.

Front

What is the primary energy source that drives weathering and erosion processes?

Back

The primary energy source driving the processes of weathering and erosion is sunlight.

Front

What are the two main processes by which glaciers shape the landscape?

Back

The two main processes by which glaciers shape the landscape are plucking and abrasion of rocks.

Front

What is mass wasting and what are its types?

Back

Mass wasting is the movement of soil and rock down a slope due to gravity. Its types include slides, falls, flows, and creep.

Front

What is a slide in the context of mass wasting?

Back

A slide is a type of mass wasting where material moves down a slope in a relatively intact mass.

Front

What is the difference between a fall and a slide in mass wasting?

Back

A fall involves a vertical drop of material, while a slide involves material moving down a slope in a cohesive manner.

Front

What role does gravity play in erosion and landscape change?

Back

Gravity is the primary force that drives mass wasting and erosion, causing materials to move down slopes.

Front

How do glaciers contribute to landscape change?

Back

Glaciers contribute to landscape change through processes like plucking, where they remove rocks, and abrasion, where they grind down surfaces.

Front

What is the significance of fossils found in sedimentary rocks?

Back

Fossils found in sedimentary rocks provide valuable information about past environments and the history of life on Earth.

Front

What is weathering and how does it differ from erosion?

Back

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface, while erosion is the movement of those materials from one location to another.