Geological Processes Examples and How They Create Geological Features
Geological processes are responsible for the geological features formed around Earth and beyond. Here is discussed geological processes examples and the purpose behind this scientific report is to find valid evidence for the link between geological processes and the formation of geological features.
Plate tectonics is a theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1915. In the theory of plate tectonics, it’s proposed that the core of Earth is covered by 3 rocky layers that are much harder and rigid compared to the mantle. These layers are the Earth’s crust, the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere. Subsequently, these layers are responsible for the many geological processes we see, as plate tectonics are responsible for divergent, convergent and transformational movements. Convergent and divergent boundaries are zones where tectonics plates either collide into or separate away from each other; the shear and tear or the collision are a direct result of the asthenosphere’s movement due to the convection currents within the mantle.
First Example
A cross section through the Earth’s crust and upper mantle, showing lithosphere plates that are moved by the asthenosphere and also a brief look at a subduction zone or convergent boundary. These geological processes are thought to form geological features such as sedimentary – basins through divergent movements and mountain formations through convergent movements. An example of a geological feature of divergent movement is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as a tectonic plate spreads apart, the gap left in between the plates is filled up with magma which creates new crust due to being covered by water. Convergent boundaries work in a similar fashion; the tectonic plate is pushed against itself and in the process, it breaks apart, one plate is moved beneath the other. As a result of this, a subduction zone is created, and a mountain is often the direct result of it. Volcanic arcs can often be a direct result of rising magma occupying existing mountain formations.
Second Example
Tectonic movements such as faulting and folding also contributes to the creation of geological features. Folding is a geological process where stress (amount of force per area on an object) is applied to an environment to alter and change the rock layers into geological features. Faulting is the process where lines along rocks break and move, which often creates a visible scar in the middle of the rock.
Third Example
Plate tectonic processes are universally land-building methods, such as a convergent boundary which forms mountain ranges, or divergent boundaries – which creates basins for sediment dumping, however, weathering and erosion of rocks also plays a part in creating landforms. As the process of weathering and erosion wears away sediments (sometimes surrounding igneous or meta-sedimentary rocks), they un-intentionally create landforms. For example, as river water erode with pressure downhill and carry many sediments along with it overtime, it can alter its environment and creates unique landforms such as a canyon.
Certain landforms are made possible with the rock cycle and diversity of the rocks, as igneous and metamorphic rocks are much more structurally built than sedimentary rocks – they can’t be weathered or eroded easily. Therefore, as water, wind and gravity weather and erode pieces of sediments, non-sedimentary rocks stay in place and can create landforms.
The rock cycle is a procedure of changes from one type of rock to another. As seen from the diagram below: metamorphic rocks can be formed when sedimentary rocks engage extreme heat and pressure, and igneous rocks can be formed by cooling magma - when metamorphic or other igneous rocks melt due to heat.
Fourth Example
The rock cycle ensures that all three types of rocks are being recycled and distributed equally. As each types of rocks have their own unique benefits for the environment. For example: Igneous rocks release nutrients into the biosphere upon erosion.
Analysis: The statistics and information recorded from the field trip of the six geological features will each be examined and compared to prove the link between geological features and geological processes. For example, along the Gillies Highway, old sedimentary rocks (occasionally metamorphosized) are located on the outer layer and lower part of the highway whereas three-quarter up the highway, vegetations and rock types changes to basalt (extrusive igneous rock). This is a result of the geological process of erosion from the Hodgkinson province onto the Gillies, which has created an environment very suitable for farming due to the basalt’s rich nutrients.
The second example of the relationship between geological features and geological processes is the pyramid. The pyramid is volcano-shaped geological feature which consists of intrusive igneous rocks. The pyramid itself was formed underground and took millions of years to solidify; in turn the slow process of solidification allowed the crystals to grow to a large size. The pyramid was unhidden by erosion, as igneous rocks are much harder than sedimentary rocks, softer Hodgkinson sedimentary rocks were weathered and washed away to the Coral Sea, and the hard-igneous rocks stayed behind and formed the shape of a volcano.
Green hill is a cinder cone volcano, and alike other cinder cone volcanoes it is created from particles and blobs of congealed lava – this means the formation of the cinder cone volcano is possibly associated with the hotspot that also created the shield volcano on the tablelands.
Similar to Green Hill, Halloram’s hill in the Atherton Tablelands was likely the result of a hotspot, as heat rises from deep in the Earth and magma rises through the cracks, the shield volcano was formed. Evidence that suggest Halloram’s hill was a shield volcano is the approach to the Halloram’s hill, which is a gently sloping side with low height. Unalike Green Hill however, Halloram’s hill has been dormant for a very long time and has since became a recreational/residential area with playgrounds and parks.
Malanda Falls was previously a lava flow, and this is proved by the basalt ledge from where the water flows into the pool. The source of the lava fall was the Malanda Shield volcano, which flowed down to the river and filled it due to gravity and continued to flow and cool down until it was overtaken by another body of water. The falls was created from the lava flow that repeatedly cooled down and hardened, this is evident by the basalt ledges.
The last geological feature is the Hypapimee Crater, which is thought to be formed by a Maar Volcano that exploded from the heating of water (as the groundwater came in contact with the magma). Because of the extreme steam and pressure, a gassy explosion displaced a lot of the Earth and caused the massive crater in the ground. Evidence for this process are the granite residues, which were blown into the sky from the explosions.
Evaluation
Lottermoser et al is a valid source identifying features formed today through current active geological processes, like volcanoes, as like those found in the Far North. However, there is debate amongst scientists as to how some features were formed as it could be number of different processes. This suggests that there are questions around the reliability of interpretation by Lottermoser et al.
The evidence of past geological history has use in determining the processes that have occurred in the area and of the likelihood of resources and geological attributes such as oil and minerals that may be available.
Conclusion
The findings of the field trip helps support the claim: geological processes are responsible for the geological features formed around Earth and beyond. The analysis uses information from the rationale and evidence gathered from the field trip to compare and interpret geological features and their relations to geological processes. From the rationale, analysis and evaluation, it is concluded: geological processes are mostly formed by geological features, however, there is debate regarding the number of different processes the geological features go through. Therefore, the reliability is disrupted, and the claim is open to interpretation.
