1. Landscapes & Drainage Systems

2. Landscape
Region of various landforms (hills, valleys, streams) related by a common origin.

3. Most landscapes classified as: Mountains Plateaus Plains
Unique geologic structures & topographic relief.
Landscapes usually identified by elevation of region.

4. Mountain Landscapes

5. Characteristics Greatest relief Deformed rock structures Young rivers
Igneous and metamorphic rocks & folded sedimentary rock
Tectonic forces push up mountains (e.g., marine fossils at high elevations!)
Young rivers
Stream gradient high
Velocity fast
V-shaped valleys

6. Complex Geologic Cross Sections

8. ESRT pp. 2 - 3 Identify 3 landscapes that show high relief.
1. Adirondack Mountains
2. Taconic Mountains
3. The Catskills

11. Plateau Landscapes

12. Characteristics Moderate relief (lowlands)
Relatively flat or “rolling” uplands
Streams often cut deep valleys. Plateaus are uplifted, then water cuts downwards
Undisturbed, FLAT layers of sedimentary rock form base.

13. Uplift followed by stream erosion carved out Grand Canyon Plateau

14. Plateau Geologic Cross Section

15. ESRT p. 2 Identify 3 landscapes that show moderate relief.
1. Tug Hill Plateau
2. Allegheny Plateau
3. Appalachian Plateau

17. Plains Landscapes

18. Characteristics Lowest relief (flat, low elevation)
Usually flat sedimentary rock layers
Leveling forces uniform
Undisturbed (horizontal) sedimentary rock is common

20. Plains Geologic Cross Section

21. ESRT pg 2 Identify 3 landscapes that show low relief.
1. Interior Lowlands
2. Erie-Ontario Lowlands
3. Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands

22. Identify the Landscape with the Correct Cross Section

23. Factors Affecting Development
1. Climate
Humid – rounded features, plenty of soil to protect bedrock
Arid – bare, steep slopes
2. Vegetation
Plants protect soil from erosion
3. Bedrock - resistance to weathering
4. Human activity – construction

24. Boundaries between landscapes
3. Change in rock structure
Folding
Faults - create difference in elevation (e.g., cliffs)
1. Sudden change in elevation
2. Change in rock type

25. Drainage Patterns
Determined by the way tributaries join to form larger streams/rivers

26. Drainage Patterns
Resistance of bedrock to weathering & erosion affects drainage pattern
If rock is:
Evenly worn away --> resistance is uniform
Escarpment (cliffs) --> resistance varies

32. Review Questions 1. In what NYS landscape region is 42°N, 72°W?
2. What type of rock makes up the Erie-Ontario Lowlands?
3. Mt. Marcy, the highest mountain in NYS, is part of what landscape?
4. What type of landscape regions are found along the entire NYS-Canadian border?
New England Province
Sedimentary rocks
Adirondack Mtns.
Lowlands/plains

33. Rectangular Dendritic
5. Which of the drainage patterns below is likely to develop on faulted mountains?
6. Which of the drainage patterns below is likely to develop on bedrock of uniform resistance to erosion?
Rectangular
Dendritic

34. Landscape Regions of NYS – p. 2
St. Lawrence Lowlands
Adirondack Mountains
Erie-Ontario Plains (Lowlands)
Tug Hill Plateau
Hudson-Mohawk Plains (Lowlands)
New England Province (Highlands) = Taconic Mtns
Newark Lowlands
Atlantic Coastal Plain (LI and SI- glacial sediments)
The Appalachian Plateau contains:
The Catskills
The Allegheny Plateau