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Geography - Changing landscapes of the UK (Plate Tectonics – Uplands and…
Geography - Changing landscapes of the UK
3 Main Rock Types and Examples of Rock Areas
Igneous rocks – these are made of cooled magma. Rock can contain crystals. Examples – granite. Example – Lake District volcanic rocks.
Metamorphic rocks – Rocks have been changed by great heat or pressure. Rocks are generally very hard. Limestone turned into marble. Example – Slate in North Wales
Sedimentary Rocks – These are formed of small particles, which are then compressed under the weight of sea water. They often contain fossils of remains of plants and animals. Example – sandstone. Chalk cliffs on the Southern Coast of the UK
Plate Tectonics – Uplands and Lowlands
Areas of uplands, or mountains, are made of harder more resistant rock.
Areas of lowlands are made of softer, less resistant rock.
Mountains in the UK are formed as a result of tectonic plates folding.
Good example – South Downs an area of hills and valleys. Hills are made of chalk which is reasonably resistant to erosion. Valleys are made of clay which is easily eroded.
How has ice shaped the landscape
Ice eroded out valleys other features (e.g. corries) due to glacial erosion – plucking and abrasion.
Areas of glacial features are generally made of hard rock as these have been able to withstand erosion.
Ice covered many parts of the UK around 20,000 years ago.
Areas that have been carved out by erosion are softer e.g. base of a u-shaped valley.
How weathering and climate has shaped the landscape
Rate of weathering is influenced by temperature and rainfall. E.g. if temperature fluctuates above and below 0c on a daily basis, there will be faster freeze thaw weathering.
Climate – Areas of heavy rainfall have more powerful rivers and so erosion by rivers is greater.
Different types of weathering
Chemical weathering – acid rain
Biological – tree root growth, animal droppings, burrowing
Freeze thaw weathering - mechanical
How the sea, rivers and mass movement have shaped the landscape
Erosion by rivers carries material to the sea – this ends up on beaches and spits. Vast majority of sediment at the coast is from rivers.
Mass movement – downslope movement of material under the influence of gravity. Different types – see coasts notes for more information.
Rivers erode the landscape and create V shaped valleys.
South Downs Case Study – How Settlements, Agriculture and Forestry have affected the landscape
Agriculture
Hedges in some places have been removed to create more space to grow crops.
Larger areas of land also create space for large machinery to be used in agriculture.
Land used to be divided up into fields by hedges, walls and fences.
This has changed landscape appearance.
Forestry
Woodland chopped down to use wood and also to create space for settlements and agriculture.
Areas have been replanted but non-native coniferous (ever green) trees have been used and this has changed the appearance of the landscape.
UK used to be covered by deciduous woodland.
Settlements
Roads
Industry
Houses
These have changed how the landscape looks