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Measuring Landscape Characteristics. Features such as mountains, valleys, and stream drainage patterns have distinctive shapes by which they can be identified. Gradient and Profile. Gradient = elevation (height)/distance (length)
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Features such as mountains, valleys, and stream drainage patterns have distinctive shapes by which they can be identified
Gradient and Profile • Gradient = elevation (height)/distance (length) • Profile: shows the elevation, shape and slope of landscape features
Mountains, Plateaus and Plains • Mountains, plateaus and plains are categories of landscapes characterized by gradient, elevation and rock structure
Summary: • Mountain: High elevation, steep gradient, distorted or disturbed rock layers (faulting, folding, etc)
b. Plateau: High elevation, undistorted horizontal rock structure, fairly level slope
c. Plain: low elevation and level surface with little change in slope
Time and Landscape Stages • An area often experiences a time when the uplifting forces are dominant, followed by a long time when the leveling forces are dominant • Youth: Uplift dominant • Maturity: Leveling dominant
b. Old Age” Leveling still dominant but less effective due to low elevations = less potential energy c. Dynamic equilibrium: uplift and leveling are equal forces
Effects of Climate on Landscape Development • Arid climates: little vegetation to hold sediments in place, resulting in steeper slopes and sharp, angular landscape features (physical/mechanical weathering). Common in SW US
Humid climates: Vegetation holds sediments in place, so landscapes are smoother and more rounded (chemical weathering). Common in eastern US
Landscape features of glaciations: • Mountaintops and steep slopes without soil • Transported soil over large areas • Unsorted soil at and below the surface
d. Wide U-shape valleys e. Polish, striations, drumlins, moraines, Finger lakes and kettle lakes f. Disconnected stream drainage patterns
