1. Measuring Landscape Characteristics

2. Features such as mountains, valleys, and stream drainage patterns have distinctive shapes by which they can be identified

3. Gradient and Profile Gradient = elevation (height)/distance (length) Profile: shows the elevation, shape and slope of landscape features

4. Mountains, Plateaus and Plains Mountains, plateaus and plains are categories of landscapes characterized by gradient, elevation and rock structure

5. Summary: a.Mountain: High elevation, steep gradient, distorted or disturbed rock layers (faulting, folding, etc)

6. b. Plateau: High elevation, undistorted horizontal rock structure, fairly level slope

7. c. Plain: low elevation and level surface with little change in slope

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Humid climates: Vegetation holds sediments in place, so landscapes are smoother and more rounded (chemical weathering). Common in eastern US

13. 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

14. d. Wide U-shape valleys e. Polish, striations, drumlins, moraines, Finger lakes and kettle lakes f. Disconnected stream drainage patterns