Landscape Development

Landscape Development

Evidence of Human OccupationSoil ProfileStream Drainage PatternsWhat are the characteristics of a landscape?ElevationSlope/gradientBedrock StructureTypes of Landscapes: Mountains

Mountains are areas of high elevation with steep slopes and gradients. The elevation of a mountain is usually much higher than that of surrounding areas.

Mountains usually form as a result of crustal change due to tectonic plate movements.

Mountains are characterized by deformed rock strata, igneous intrusions, and areas of regional and contact metamorphism.

Grand Teton Mountains, WyomingNYS Mountain Landscapes: Adirondack Mountains, Taconic MountainsTypes of Landscapes: PlateausPlateaus are areas of high elevation with steep slopes and gradients. Area of plateaus often have flat surfaces.

Plateaus are characterized by undistorted, horizontal layers of sedimentary rocks and/or extrusive igneous rocks.

NYS PLateau Landscapes: Allegheny Plateau, The Catskills, Tug Hill Plateau,

Bryce Canyon, UtahTypes of Landscapes: PlainsPlains are areas of low elevation with little to no slope or gradient of the land. Plains are often called flat lands or lowlands.

Plains are characterized by sedimentary rocks and/or sediments. Some plains represent the eroded remains of old mountains.

Great Plains, NebraskaNYS Plains Landscapes: Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands, Erie-Ontario Lowlands, Champlain Lowlands, St. Lawrence Lowlands, Newark LowlandsLandscapes Regions

RT = Pg. 3Which landscape region is Elmira located in?

Elmira is located in the Allegheny Plateau

Landscape Development

Landscapes are continually evolving as uplifting and leveling forces alter landscapes.UPLIFT

LEVELING FORCES

Landscapes that are uplifted experience changes within the crust which forces the land upward. Convergent plate boundaries are associated with uplift.

The convection currents within the astheosphere provides the energy associated with uplifting forces.

Leveling forces reduce the elevation and slope of landscapes. Weathering, erosion and deposition are leveling forces.

Insolation and gravity provide the energy for weathering, erosion and deposition agents to change landscapes.

CratersA crater is a landscape feature created by the impact of a celestial object (ex: asteroid, comet, meteor) with the Earth.

Craters tend to be the dominant landscape feature for celestial objects such as planets and moons

Landscape and Climate

Plateaus in an arid climate have steep slopes. There is a lack of vegetation to hold sediment. Weathered sediment erode quickly from arid plateaus.

Plateaus in a humid climate have gentle slopes. There is an abundance of vegetation to hold sediment. Weathered sediment erode slowly from humid plateaus.

Landscape Stages and Time

ABCDA/B: YOUNG The landscape has been cut by two streams. The slopes alongside the stream are steep.

C: MATURE Leveling forces have reduced the elevation of the landscape. High mountaintops have been replaced by rolling hills.

D: OLD Leveling forces have further reduced the elevation of the landscape to a lowland floodplain. Streams have also matured creating meanders in the landscape.

***NOTE: The landscapes depicted above have not necessarily been exposed to uplifting forces.