Geomorphic Processes:
By Nur Ryshalti Pratama
Geomorphic Processes:
Physical processes which create and modify landforms on the surface of the earth Endogenous (Endogenic) vs.Exogenous (Exogenic) Processes Rock Cycle
A. Endogenous Processes
Endogenous Processes are large-scale landform building and transforming processes they create relief. 1. Igneous Processes
a. Volcanism: Volcanic eruptions Volcanoes b. Plutonism: Igneous intrusions 2. Tectonic Processes (Also called Diastrophism) a. Folding: anticlines, synclines, mountains b. Faulting: rift valleys, graben, escarpments c. Lateral Faulting: strike-slip faults Earthquakes evidence of present-day tectonic activity
B. Exogenous Processes
Also called Gradational Processes, they comprise degradation and aggradation they modify relief
a continuum of processes Weathering Mass Wasting Erosion Transportation Deposition
these processes are carried through by Geomorphic Agents: gravity, flowing water (rivers), moving ice (glaciers), waves and tides (oceans and lakes), wind, plants, organisms, animals and humans
1. Degradation Processes Also called Denudation Processes a. Weathering , b. Mass Wasting and c. Erosion and Transportation 2. Aggradation Processes a. Deposition fluvial, eolian, glacial, coastal
Relationship: Weathering Mass Wasting Erosion
and Transportation
Together, these processes are responsible for
Denudation
of Earths surface
WEATHERING
Weathering is disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ no transportation involved produces regolith More precisely, it involves the mechanical or physical disintegration and/or chemical decomposition that fragments rock masses into smaller components that amass on-site, before being moved by gravity or transported by other agents The processes begin in microscopic spaces, cracks, joints, faults, fractures, lava vesicles and other rock cavities
Types of Weathering: 1) Physical or Mechanical Weathering,
2) Chemical Weathering, and 3) Biological Weathering
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
Disintegration and decay of rocks via weather elements: high temperatures, extreme cold and freeze-thaw cycles No change in chemical composition of rocks Exfoliation due to thermal expansion/contraction and/or release of
pressure when buried rocks are uplifted and exposed
e.g., Exfoliation Dome (Stone Mountain, GA) and Exfoliation Sheets (Sierra Nevada)
Frost Wedging
Salt Wedging
Chemical Weathering
decomposes rocks through a chemical change in its minerals Oxidation important in iron-rich rocks reddish coloration like rust Hydrolysis igneous rocks have much silica which readily combines with water Carbonation and Solution carbon dioxide dissolved in water reacts with carbonate rocks to create a soluble product (calcium bicarbonate)
Biological Weathering
plants and animals contribute to weathering. Roots physically break or wedge rock Lichens (algae and fungi living as single unit), remove minerals and weaken rock by releasing acids Burrowing animals can increase weathering.
Lichens
Talus Cones in the Canadian Rockies
Talus pieces of rock at bottom of a rock fall
Landslides Can cause much destruction
A msssive 300-ton boulder blocks a road in Southern California
La Conchita Landslide, January 10, 2005
Monterey Park Debris Flow, 1980
PCH near Pacific Palisades, November 1956
EROSION and TRANSPORTATION
Various Geomorphic Agents, associated Processes, and resulting Erosional Features
Flowing Water Fluvial Morphology Humid regions: Perennial streams and entrenched channels, rapids, waterfalls, plunge pools, potholes, meandering streams, bank erosion, oxbow lakes, etc.
Wind Eolian Landscapes deflation hollows, ventifacts, yardang, etc
Tides and Waves Coastal Morphology Sea cliffs, sea caves, sea arches, sea stacks, wave-cut beaches, etc.. Moving Ice Glacial Morphology glacial troughs (U-shaped valleys), hanging valleys, glacial lakes,.
DEPOSITION
Various geomorphic agents, associated processes and resulting Depositional Features
Fluvial Humid regions: Braided streams, sand bars, floodplains (alluvium deposits), natural levees, distributaries, deltas Arid regions: Alluvial fans, bajadas, piedmont alluvial plains, playas, playa lakes, Salinas (salt flats) Eolian Sand dunes (Barchans, Parabolic, Transverse, Longitudinal, Star), and sand sheets Coastal Sea beaches and coral reefs Glacial Alpine: Glacial drifts, tills, moraines (lateral, medial, end,
terminal, recessional, and ground)
Continental: Till plains, outwash plains, drumlins, eskers, kames, erratic
