Geomorphology
Weathering, erosion, river landscapes
Weathering and Erosion
Geomorphology studies how Earth's surface is shaped. Weathering breaks rock in place (physical, chemical, biological). Erosion moves broken rock by water, wind or ice. Rivers create valleys, waterfalls and floodplains.
Example
Landscape Features in SA
• Drakensberg: escarpment formed by erosion
• Blyde River Canyon: carved by water erosion
• Table Mountain: flat top due to resistant sandstone
• Karoo: weathered into flat-topped hills (koppies)
Physical weathering: frost, heating/cooling
Chemical weathering: acid rain dissolves rock
Note
Remember
Weathering = breaking rock in place. Erosion = moving broken material away. Deposition = dropping material in a new place. A river erodes in its upper course, transports in middle, and deposits at its mouth.
Key Vocabulary
WeatheringBreaking down of rock in its original place
ErosionMovement of broken rock by water, wind or ice
EscarpmentA steep slope between flat areas at different heights
DepositionDropping of material carried by water or wind
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