Geology and Spatial Planning Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from geology, geomorphology, spatial planning, and sustainable development as discussed in the lecture notes.

Endogene Processes

Processes that shape the landscape from the Earth's interior, including volcanism, tectonics, and mountain formation.

Geology

The scientific study of the structure of the Earth at greater depths, with practical applications in resource exploration, hazard prediction, and environmental protection.

Exogene Processes/Erosion

Processes that shape the landscape from the Earth's exterior, such as glacial, fluvial, marine, eolian, and chemical erosion, as well as mass movement.

Geomorphology

The study of the forms of the landscape and the processes that play or have played a role in their creation.

Eternal Snow

The height limit where snow remains permanently and does not completely melt, even in summer.

Firn

Coarse crystalline snow formed after one year due to melting, refreezing, and recrystallization.

Glacier Ice

Ice formed from compacted firn layers under pressure, reducing air volume and causing a blue color due to light refraction.

Ice Caps/Land Ice

Large ice masses in polar regions, like Antarctica and Greenland, ranging from 500 to 4000 meters thick.

Nunataks

Mountain peaks that protrude above ice caps.

Isostatic Pressure

The sinking of the Earth's crust due to the pressure of an ice pack, and the subsequent rising of the crust when the ice melts.

Valley Glaciers

Glaciers found in high mountain ranges, moving under the influence of gravity.

Firn Basin

The area where snow accumulates and transforms into firn and glacier ice.

Cirque

A bowl-shaped depression that forms in the firn basin due to glacial erosion.

Glacier Tongue

A long, narrow extension of a glacier that flows down into lower valleys.

Glacier Front

The end point of a glacier, where meltwater flows out, often forming a glacier gate.

Glacier Gate

The point where meltwater flows out from under the glacier.

Crevasses/Dwarsspleten

Cracks in the ice that form due to stretching as the glacier moves over uneven terrain.

Moraine

Rock and debris transported by a glacier.

Side Moraine

Moraine located on the sides of a glacier.

Middle Moraine

Moraine located in the middle of a glacier, formed by the joining of two side moraines.

End Moraine

Moraine deposited at the terminus of a glacier.

Rasping Action (Abrasion)

The grinding and polishing action of glaciers as they erode the landscape by rock and debris.

U-Shaped Valleys

Valleys carved by glaciers, characterized by steep, smooth walls and a flat bottom.

Horn

Sharp, isolated mountain peaks sculpted by glacial erosion on all sides.

Comb

A series of peaks with eroded walls on both sides.

Fjords

Old glacial valleys that have been flooded by the sea.

Sedimentation Coasts

Coastlines characterized by deposition of sediments.

Erosion Coasts

Coastlines shaped by the erosive action of marine processes.

Strandwal/Schoorwal

A sandbank that is not submerged at high tide.

Wad

The area between the strandwal and the coast that is flooded.

Kreek

Small water channel on the beach.

Tsunami

Very long waves caused by underwater landslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.

Branding

Waves that break on the beach.

Zwin

A depression in the sand caused by breaking waves.

Mui

The connection between the Zwin and the sea, through which water flows back to the sea.

Slikke

Part of the beach that is flooded at high tide and has no vegetation.

Schorre

The higher part of the beach that is vegetated.

Polders

Low-lying area below sea level in the interior with ditches.

Transgression

A rise in sea level that floods the land.

Opaalkust/Côte d’Opale

Chalk cliffs rising high above the sea on the French coast.

Fluvial Erosion

Erosion by rivers and streams.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion.

Hjulström Diagram

A diagram showing the relationship between flow velocity and particle size for erosion, transportation, and sedimentation.

Vertical Erosion

The process where a river wears away its bed.

Erosion Base

The depth to which a river can erode, corresponding to its mouth (sea or another river).

Horizontal Erosion

The process where a river widens its valley by eroding its banks.

River Basin

The area from which water flows to one river.

Watershed

A higher area between two river basins, the boundary between river basins.

Length Profile

Graph of the path of water from source to mouth showing differences in slope.

Slope

The ratio between the height difference of a river and their mutual distance.

Plateau

A higher flat plain with little difference in height.

V-Shaped Valley

Valley with a V-shape, formed by vertical river erosion and slope erosion.

Meandering

Rivers that make bends.

Flat Bottom Valley

A valley with a flat bottom formed by horizontal erosion.

Canyon Valley

A deep valley with a narrow valley floor.

Weichseliaan or Würm

The geological period 20,000 years ago.

Periglacial Climate

Climate south of the ice cap

Loess

Windblown deposit of silt-sized particles.

Karst Action

Natural formation of caves in limestone by water.

Corrosion

Chemical phenomenon where limestone is dissolved by the acidity of water.

Erosion

Mechanical phenomenon where rock is worn away by the friction of flowing water.

Sustainable Development Goals

A list of 17 goals set by the United Nations for sustainable development, focusing on social, economic, and environmental aspects.

The Five P's of Sustainable Development

People, Prosperity, Partnership, Planet, and Peace.

Construction Shift/Betonstop

A policy measure aimed at reducing the construction of open space and shifting focus to the reuse of existing buildings and the strengthening of urban areas.

STROOMversnelling and Blue Deal

Plans in Flanders focusing on water management, aiming to improve water quality, protect against flooding and water shortages, and promote sustainable water use.

Upgrading

Maintaining the current spatial layout while maximizing the sustainability of existing structures and systems through technology and alternative solutions.

Smart City

A city that uses technology and data to manage the city in a more efficient and sustainable way.

Alternative Housing Forms

Compact, thoughtfully designed homes; housing solutions for those needing care; and community-owned land trusts that separate homeownership from land ownership.

Nature Based Solutions

Utilizing natural elements and systems to solve problems and create solutions, such as using renewable materials, wood instead of concrete, dune belts for storm protection, and wadis for water buffering.

The Line

A futuristic and revolutionary urban model with a city built in height and length designed by Saudi Arabia

Endogenic Processes

Processes that shape the landscape from within the Earth such as volcanism, tectonics, and mountain formation.

Exogenic Processes

Processes that shape the landscape from the Earth's exterior, including glacial, fluvial, marine, aeolian, and chemical erosion, and mass movement.

Glacier Milk

Meltwater that flows out from under the glacier.

Isostatic Pressure

The Earth's crust sinks under the weight of the ice pack and rises when the ice melts.

Moraine

Debris transported by a glacier (lateral, medial, terminal).

Rasping (Abrasion)

Frozen stones, sand, and loose rocks scour and grind the walls next to the glacier.

Transgression

Rising sea level, which floods the land, causing sand and clay to sediment.

Corrosion

A chemical phenomenon in which limestone is dissolved by the acidity of water.

Erosion

A mechanical phenomenon in which rock is worn away by the friction of flowing water.