GEOG 1030 - Quiz 3

Erosion, deposition, or transportation of sediment by wind.

Aeolian processes

How quickly particles settle out of air based on particle size.

Stokes’ Law

Lifting and removal of individual particles by wind.

Deflation

Grinding and shaping of rock by bombardment (sandblasting) or air-captured particles.

Abrasion

Function of particle size and settling (fall) velocity.

Deposition

_______ is possible through the process of deflation.

Wind-driven

_________ is possible through some deflation and rainfall.

Water-driven

Forms on physically stable rocks in arid environments over thousands of years.

Desert varnish

Rocks shaped by windblown materials.

Ventifacts

Rocks formed by abrasion.

Yardangs

• Aka sand seas or dune seas

• Little to no vegetation

• Broad, relatively flat

Ergs

• Generally asymmetrical

• Windward side — gentle slope

• Leeward slide — steep slope/slip face

Sand dunes

• “Horns” point downward

• Wind is often unidirectional

Barchan

• Barchan-shaped

• Possible joining of multiple barchan dunes

Barchanoid

• Crescent-shaped

• Vegetated areas

• Tips point upward

Parabolic

• Perpendicular to prevailing wind

• Areas of little vegetation and lots of sand

Transverse

• Roughly parallel to bimodal wind direction

• Can be very long

Linear

• Multi-directional wind

• Usually the tallest dune type

• 8.5% of global dune formations

Star

• Flat, dry area — former lake or sea

• Evaporation > recharge

Playa

Result of water coming out of a mountain and come across a flat area and deposits sediment in a fan shape.

Alluvial fans

A series of coalescing alluvial fans.

Bajada

Also known as the shoreline

The littoral zone

Areas where waves and currents deposit and rework sediments.

Beaches

Top of the wave.

Crest

The length between two crests.

Wavelength

Lowest level between two crests.

Trough

Height of wave from trough to crest.

Wave height

• Appear to be rising from the ocean

• Tectonic uplift

• Local drop in sea level

• Common along active margins

Emergent coasts

• Appear to be sinking down into the ocean

• Local rise in sea level

• Submerged or flooded appearance

• Drowned river valleys or fjords (glacial equivalent)

• Common along passive margins

Submergent coasts

• Removal of material by wave action

• Cliffs, caves, terraces

• Mass movement

Erosional coasts

• Aka sandy coasts

• Sediment accumulation

• Beaches

• Longshore drift moves sediment

Depositional coasts

Natural sand bridge connecting an island to the mainland.

Tombolo

Partially enclosed area of water separated by a reef, sand bar, or barrier island.

Lagoon

Thin strip of land stretching out into the water.

Spit

Natural well or ridge separating a bay from open water.

Barrier islands

• Traps sand

• Disrupts sediment movement along the coast

Groin

• Controls water flow

• Protects boats from strong waves/currents

• Prevent erosion

• Keeps shipping channels clear

Jetty

Protects boats and coastlines from strong waves.

Breakwater

The movement of chemical elements and compounds through the parts of the system.

Biogeochemical cycles

What are the big six elements in the biogeochemical cycle?

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Sulfur

• Short-term state of the atmosphere

• Can change within minutes or hours

Weather

• Long-term pattern of weather

• Average weather over many years in one specific place

Climate

What are the factors of hurricanes?

• Warm (80*F) ocean water in upper 60m

• Warm, humid, unstable air mass

• Coriolis effect

• Weak upper-level winds

How does a hurricane form?

• A tropical depression develops

  • Surface winds strengthen and flow around and into core

  • Rotates counterclockwise (in northern hemisphere)

• Surface winds converge to create a chimney effect

  • Wind speed > 74mph