Tectonics and Geomorphology

Flashcards covering key concepts from Week 4 lecture on Tectonics and Geomorphology.

Geomorphology

The study of landforms and the processes that shape them. (Bullard and Livingstone, 2002)

Exogenic Processes

Processes that originate from the Earth's surface and include weathering and erosion. (Bullard and Livingstone, 2002)

Endogenic Processes

Processes that originate from within the Earth, such as volcanic activity and tectonics. (Bullard and Livingstone, 2002)

Tectonics

The study of the structure and movement of the Earth's lithosphere. (Berner and Lasaga, 1983)

Earth's Core

The innermost layer of the Earth, primarily composed of iron and nickel. (Berner and Lasaga, 1983)

Interaction

The relationship between tectonics and the climate system which influences landscape formation. (Berner and Lasaga, 1983)

Rock cycle

• Bonnet and Crave, 2003

  

Geomorphic change and scale

 

Geomorphic periods

 

• not mill - bill

Ring of Fire

Plate boundaries

• 

Plate tectonics

Plate tectonics

plate boundaries

examples of plate boundaries

• 

anticline and syncline

Volcanism

 

Hotspots

 

hotspots.- area of earth that exists over an mantle plume —→ causes melting of crust —> magma rises —→ upwelling causes creation of new volcanoes that migrate along with the plate

Tectonics influencing climate

• 

less co2 when sea floor spreading is slow

More tectonics influencing climate

exogenic vs endogenic