Earth’s Dynamic Processes: Geology and Ecology Basics
Earth’s Dynamic Processes: Geology and Ecology
Geological Processes
Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation
Erosion: Is the mobilization and removal of materials resulting from the weathering of rocks.
Transport: Eroded materials from the erosive processes are transported to other places.
Sedimentation: Occurs when the strength of the transporting agents decreases, and these materials are deposited in the field.
Water Action and River Systems
Surface Water Dynamics
Runoff: If water saturates the ground’s pores, it forms high-speed trails (e.g., rills, gullies).
Streams: These are common surface water flows that appear during very intense seasonal rains (e.g., wadis and ramblas).
Rivers: Rivers are continuous streams.
River Course Stages
Headwaters: Located in mountainous areas (e.g., canyons, gorges, waterfalls).
Middle Course: The current’s speed decreases, and the river’s volume typically increases (e.g., forming troughs, floodplains, meanders).
Lower Course: Corresponds to the mouth of rivers in oceans or large bodies of water (e.g., deltas, estuaries).
Karstic Modeling
Formation of Karst Features
Karstic Modeling: Constitutes areas where water-soluble rocks undergo strong chemical weathering when water reaches them.
Chasms: Vertical ducts.
Galleries: Horizontal ducts.
Caves: Galleries that communicate with the outside.
Geological Action of Ice and Wind
Glacial Processes
Geological Action of Ice: Glaciers are moving ice masses that cover about 10% of the Earth’s surface (e.g., ice sheets, alpine glaciers).
Aeolian Processes
Geological Action of Wind: Wind action occurs over the entire surface.
Deflation: The wind drags particles away.
Aeolian Abrasion: Occurs particularly with what the wind carries in suspension, causing wear.
Rocks and Ecological Concepts
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks: Formed through processes like compaction, cementation, and are classified as detrital, chemical, or organic.
Ecology Fundamentals
Ecology: It encompasses a range of properties that allow and condition terrestrial life, influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors.
Energy Flow: Living organisms require a continuous supply of energy and matter.
Contamination: The presence in the environment of any agent or contaminant that produces negative consequences.
Hydrosphere: While naturally occurring, human actions, such as urban waste discharge, can significantly impact and contaminate it.
Soil: Has always been an excellent site for the decomposition of organic waste. However, it is vulnerable to issues like desertification and forest fires.