Component 1: The Physical Environment

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed by the accumulation and compression of sediments, including chalk and sandstone, predominant in lowland areas of the UK.

Igneous Rocks

Rocks formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, such as granite and basalt, commonly found in upland regions like the Scottish Highlands.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks transformed by heat and pressure, like slate and schist, often found in areas of tectonic uplift and geological upheaval in Wales and Scotland.

Upland Landscapes

Areas characterized by higher elevations, rugged terrain, and the presence of igneous and metamorphic rocks shaped by tectonic processes and erosion.

Lowland Landscapes

Regions with gentle slopes, fertile soils, and sedimentary rocks like sandstone and limestone, shaped by sedimentation and deposition processes.

Plate Tectonics

The movement of Earth's lithosphere plates, influencing landscape formation through processes like mountain uplift and volcanic activity.

Glacial Erosion

The process by which glaciers carve out landscapes, creating features like U-shaped valleys and cirques in upland areas during Ice Ages.

River Erosion

The wearing away of river banks and beds, forming landforms like meanders and oxbow lakes in lowland regions through vertical and lateral erosion.

Coastal Erosion

The gradual wearing away of coastal land by waves and tides, leading to the formation of features like cliffs, beaches, and spits along the coast.

Human Activities

Actions like agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization that reshape landscapes, impacting soil erosion, biodiversity, and the natural environment.

Climate Variability

Includes phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, impacting weather patterns.

Human Activities

Actions such as deforestation and excessive water use that affect the environment.

Water Shortages

Result from factors like climate variability and human activities, leading to scarcity.

Crop Failure

Occurs due to water shortages and other environmental stressors, impacting agriculture.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Human-induced release of gases like CO2 and methane, contributing to climate change.

Rising Sea Levels

Result from environmental changes like melting ice caps and thermal expansion, affecting coastlines.

Health Impacts

Include issues like heat stress and diseases due to environmental changes.

Mitigation

Strategies like reducing emissions and reforestation to combat climate change.

Tropical Rainforests

Biomes with high biodiversity and warm, wet climates, crucial for ecosystems.

Deforestation

Threat to tropical rainforests caused by activities like agriculture and logging, impacting biodiversity.