Download Landscape Development - Gouverneur Central School District

Landscape Development - page 2 ESRT
Landscape – region of Earth’s surface where physical features are related by a
common origin
Stream Drainage Patterns – the shape of the streams as seen from the air
Gradient (slope) – a way to describe the land because it is a measurable
characteristic and useful because it shows the development of soils
The three major types of landscapes are distinguished by gradient, elevation, and
rock structure. ESRT page 2. They are:
1. Mountains: high elevation, non-sedimentary rocks, distorted/ uplifted
2. Plateaus: high elevation, undistorted horizontal rocks
3. Plains (lowlands): low elevation, level surface, sedimentary rocks
Landscape boundaries – consist of characteristics of the landscape features with
structure changes in the rock, Ex) from horizontal rocks to folded rocks = plains to
mountains
Two forces that alter landscapes:
1. Uplifting: displacing of rock strata to raise the land, Ex) volcanic action, plate
tectonic events, etc.
2. Leveling(subsidence): weathering, erosion, deposition, the acts of breaking
down and removing the strata
Moisture and temperature – influence the rate of development and characteristics
of the landscape (arid vs. humid)
Four drainage patterns:
1. random: (dendritic) horizontal sedimentary rocks with little difference in rock
resistance
2. trellis: found in folded rocks with great difference in rock resistance
3. radial: domed structure with little difference in resistance
4. annular: concentric circles with great difference in rock resistance