Distinguish between exogenic and endogenic processes involved in geomorphology. Stress the importance of weathering as well. (Answer in 200 words)
Diastrophism: Geomorphologically, the term Diastrophism refers to a geomorphic process of crust deformation. This process leads to the formation of continents and ocean basins. Diasreophim is involved in two distinct processes that are classified as: Epeirogenic Processes: These processes are theRead more
Diastrophism:
Geomorphologically, the term Diastrophism refers to a geomorphic process of crust deformation. This process leads to the formation of continents and ocean basins.
Diasreophim is involved in two distinct processes that are classified as:
Epeirogenic Processes: These processes are the vertical earth movements of the crust deformation created by endogenic forces These processes cause continental building by warping large parts of the Earth’s crust. There are two processes submergence and emergence.
- Submergence: This process is caused by the rising sea level relative to the land surface. This downward movement may lead to the formation of rias and estuaries.
- Emergence: This process is driven by falling sea levels relative to the land.or upliftment of the land that leads to the formation of marine terraces and coral reefs.
Orogenic processes: Geologically, these dystrophic processes are caused by the horizontal movement of the endogenic forces that may lead to the formation of Mountain-Building.
The processes driven by the influence of dystrophic orogenic processes are:
- Transitional forces: These processes may cause faulting and cracking that exceed the crust by stressing and shearing the rock’s strength.
- Compressional forces: These processes may cause folding and warping that are subjected to compression within the crustal rocks.
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:
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.
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