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) 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: a.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 a.Youth: Uplift dominant b.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: a.Mountaintops and steep slopes without soil b.Transported soil over large areas c.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