GEO 320 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Tectonic Uplift, Glacier, Dune
Document Summary
Describe what a positive feedback system is and give a geomorphic example. An enhancement or amplification of an effect by its own influence on the process that gives rise to it. Example: uplift creates steep slopes increasing elevation, steep unstable slopes collapse lowering elevation. A system is made up of components that interact with one another through the flow of energy and matter. Systems have a boundary to define the limits of the system. An example of a geomorphic system would be the hydrosphere which interacts with the oceans, lakes, glaciers, and rivers. Briefly describe two methods used to determine uplift rates. Exhumation of rock describes the uplift of rock rocks relative to the ground surface through erosion that brings subsurface rock closer to the ground surface by stripping off overlying material. Unless countered by erosion, tectonically driven rock uplift will increase the land surface elevation.
