List the ways in which flowing water has influenced the development of landforms. Explain in detail the different depositional characteristics of flowing water as well.(Answer in 200 words)
Answer: The endogenic and exogenic forces causing physical stresses and chemical actions on earth materials and bringing about changes in the configuration of the surface of the earth are known as geomorphic processes. While, diastrophism and volcanism are endogenic geomorphic processes, weathering,Read more
Answer: The endogenic and exogenic forces causing physical stresses and chemical actions on earth materials and bringing about changes in the configuration of the surface of the earth are known as geomorphic processes. While, diastrophism and volcanism are endogenic geomorphic processes, weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition are exogenic geomorphic processes. The differences between the two processes are as follows:
| Parameter | Endogenic Processes | Exogenic Processes |
| Location | Inside the surface of the Earth. | Outside the surface of the Earth. |
| Driving Forces | The energy emanating from within the earth, mostly by radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction, and primordial heat from the origin of the earth, is the main force behind endogenic geomorphic processes. | The exogenic processes derive their energy from the atmosphere determined by the ultimate energy from the sun and also the gradients created by tectonic factors. |
| Effects | The energy due to geothermal gradients and heat flow from within induces diastrophism and volcanism in the lithosphere. | Gravitational force acts upon all earth materials having a sloping surface and tends to produce movement of matter in a downslope direction. |
| Nature | Constructive forces as they create relief features on the surface of the Earth. | Destructive forces result in destruction via weathering, denudation, and erosional processes. |
| Examples | Earthquakes, Volcanoes, etc. | Wind, Rivers, Glaciers, etc. |
Significance of Weathering: Weathering is the action of elements of weather and climate over the earth’s materials. There are a number of processes within weathering that act either individually or together to affect the earth’s materials in order to reduce them to a fragmental state.
- Weathering processes are responsible for breaking down the rocks into smaller fragments and preparing the way for the formation of not only regolith and soils but also erosion and mass movements.
- Weathering is an important process in the formation of soils. Biodiversity depends upon vegetation, which in turn, is dependent upon the depth of weathering mantles.
- Weathering aids mass wasting, erosion, and reduction of relief. Also, changes in landforms are a consequence of erosion.
- Weathering of rocks and deposits helps in the enrichment and concentrations of certain valuable ores of iron, manganese, aluminum, copper, etc., which are of great importance to the national economy.
- Weathering processes are conditioned by many complex geological, climatic, topographic and vegetative factors.
Answer: Running water is considered one of the most important geomorphic agents bringing about the degradation of the land surface. There are two components of running water. One is overland flow on the general land surface as a sheet and another is linear flow as streams and rivers in valleys. SignRead more
Answer: Running water is considered one of the most important geomorphic agents bringing about the degradation of the land surface. There are two components of running water. One is overland flow on the general land surface as a sheet and another is linear flow as streams and rivers in valleys. Significance of running water in the evolution of landforms:
Depositional Features of Running Water
The study of running water in the evolution of landforms helps us understand and appreciate the diversity of landforms on the surface of the earth.
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