Untitled Flashcards Set

What are the two primary processes that shape the Earth's surface?

Tectonic forces (uplit) and surface processes (wear land down).

What is physical weathering?

The process where rocks are broken down into smaller rocks.

What is chemical weathering?

The breakdown of rocks by changing their composition.

What is frost wedging?

A type of physical weathering where water within fractures expands when it freezes.

What is root wedging?

Physical weathering caused by root growth that exerts pressure on surrounding material.

What is dissolution in the context of weathering?

A process where mineral bonds break and minerals dissolve into solution.

What type of climate do Pedalfer soils form in?

Temperate climates with moderate rainfall.

What characterizes Pedocal soils?

They form in arid or desert climates with little rainfall and have less clay and organic matter.

What is the angle of repose?

The maximum angle at which a sloping surface formed of dry, unconsolidated, granular material is stable.

What is mass wasting?

The downslope movement of earth materials (rock, regolith, and soil) under the influence of gravity.

What are the two categories of mass wasting classifications?

Consolidated and unconsolidated.

What is creep in the context of mass wasting?

The slow, gradual movement of soil and regolith down a slope, often due to expansion and contraction.

What is solifluction?

The flow of water-saturated soil over impermeable material, common in cold climates with frozen permafrost.

What is a mudflow?

A fast-moving, water-saturated flow comprised mostly of particles smaller than sand.

What are turbidity flows?

Dense, sediment-laden water that moves quickly from the continental shelf down the slope.

What are some methods for landslide prevention?

Reduce slope, reduce water, reduce weight, remove loose material, increase vegetation, add base support, careful geotechnical planning.

What is weathering rind?

Fractures acting as a conduit for weathering.

What is differential weathering?

The different susceptibility of various rock types to weathering processes.

What is the effect of vegetation on soil development?

Vegetation increases organic content, helps break down matter, and can improve soil structure.

How does increased time affect soil development?

Leads to increased weathering, thicker soils, and more mature soil development.