Battle for Posession of Earth’s Surface What dominates? Relief building: diastrophism & volcanism vs Degradation: weathering & erosion
Apr 01, 2015
Battle for Posession of Earth’s Surface
What dominates?
Relief building: diastrophism & volcanism
vs
Degradation: weathering & erosion
Battle Lines
Battle Lines
Geology provides the “kinetic energy”
Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to
place by degradation
Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to
place by degradation
Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to
place by degradation
Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to
place by degradation
Equation is key to sustainability of where you live
• If relief building is winning (diastrophism > degradation), you are in danger!
• If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.
If relief building is winning (diastrophism > degradation),
you are in danger!
Sign of danger: Soft rock is lifted high (and then landslides)
If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.
Sign of safety: mountains eroded
If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.
Sign of safety: hard rocks eroded to flat pediment
Answer this question• Why are meteor impacts common on Mars
and not on Earth?
• Even this small crater can be seen billions of years after it formed
Why are meteor impacts common on Mars and not on Earth?
Meteor Crater, AZ 50,000 years ago
Monturaquisole Impact Crater, Atacama
Even in dry deserts, rims erode and depression fills in
Summary: view as a battle or working
together?