Unit 2 - The Natural Environment (Key Words)

Weathering - ways that rocks are broken down in situ.

Hydraulic Action - the compression of air in cracks put pressure on rocks and causes pieces of the rock to break off.

Corrasion (Abrasion) - sand and pebbles carried in waves are thrown against the cliff face.

Corrosion (Solution) - chemicals in sea water dissolve certain rock types, such as chalk.

Attrition - the breaking up of rocks and pebbles in the waves. The movement of waves means that the rocks are continually knocked against each other, removing any sharp edges, to produce smooth pebbles and, eventually, sand.

Transportation - the movement of sand and pebbles by the sea.

Deposition - the putting down of sand and pebbles by the sea.

Mass Movement - material moves down a slope, pulled down by gravity.

Fetch - the distance that wind travels over open water.

Geology - the rock type and structure of an area.

Coastal Recession - where the coastline is eroded so that it moves back.

Prediction - a forecast of what might happen.

Prevention - trying to stop something happening.

Building Design - the style of a building which helps to prevent flooding.

Coastal Flooding - the inundation by the sea of areas near to the coast.

Hard Engineering - techniques that involve major construction work and are usually visually obstrusive.

Soft Engineering - techniques that work with the natural processess at work on the coastline and do not involve major construction work.

Width - how far it is from one bank of a river to the other.

Depth - the distance between the top and the bottom of the water in a river.

Velocity - the speed that the water in the river is moving at.

Discharge - the volume (amount of water in the river) times the volume of the river.

Gradient - the slope that the river is moving down.

Physical Factors - causes of river flooding that relate to the natural environment.

Human Factors - causes of river flooding that relate to the people.

Saturated - when the ground becomes so wet that it can no longer hold any more water.

Impermeable Rocks - rocks that do not allow water through them.

Vegetation - the plants of an area.

Interception - vegetation stopping water from reaching rivers.

Deforestation - when trees and other plants are removed from an area.

Urbanisation - when towns and cities are built.

Convergent (Destructive) Plate Boundary - the plates move towards each other and destroy the crust.

Divergent (Constructive) Plate Boundary - the plates move away from each other and create the crust.

Conservative Plate Boundary - the plates move alongside each other; crust is not made or destroyed.

Convection Currents - a movement of heated material up through the mantle from the Earth's core to the crust.

Epicentre - a point on the Earth's surface.

Focus - a point below the Earth's surface.

Shock Wave - a wave released from the point where an earthquake originates below the Earth's surface.

Infastructure - the services that are in an area such as the roads and electricity.

Causes of an Earthquake - what makes an earthquake happen.

Effects of an Earthquake - the impact of the earthquake on the people who live in the area and the built and natural landscapes.

Geothermal Energy - the energy stored within the earth which can be used to produce electricity.

Economic Reasons - to do with wealth.

Social Reasons - to do with people.

Environmental Reasons - to do with the natural and human landscape.

Earthquake-proof Buildings - buildings that are built with such extras as flexible frames so that they can withstand earthquakes.

Biodegradable - can be broken down by bacteria.

Domestic - waste that is produced by the average household.

Hazardous - dangerous to humans.

E-Waste - waste such as mobile phones which are discared before they are broken.

White Goods - goods such as fridges and washing machines.

Recycling - making waste products available for re-use.

Recycling Sites - places where waste products can be taken to be made available for reprocessing.

Reusing - making waste products into a new products.

Land Fill - areas of land that are used to dispose waste products. Large holes are dug, filled with waste and then are covered with soil.

Incineration - the burning of waste products.

Toxic Waste - waste materials that are harmful to humans.

Renewable Energy - energy sources that can be reused and therefore will not run out, such as wind and the Sun. They are known as infinite resources.

Non-Renewable - energy sources that once they have been used can never be used again, such as coal and oil. They are known as finite resources.

Exploitation - the use of an energy source.

Development - how the resource is then used to produce power.

Greenhouse Gas - a gas such as carbon dioxide which is 'allegedly' causing global warming.

Production of a Resource - how the resource is gained from the environment.

Visual Pollution - something that is displeasing to the eye.

Water Consumption - the amount of water used.

Domestic Usage - water used by households.

Showering Society - HICs, where many people shower every day.

Agricultural Usage - water used by farmers.

Irrigation - the artificial watering of the land.

Industrial Usage - water used by factories.

Cottage Industries - small-scale production usually completed in a domestic environment.

Porous Rocks - rocks that soak water up like a sponge.

Impermeable Rock - rock that does not allow water through it.

Aquifer - underground store of water in permeable rock.

Water Table - the level of water within a rock.

Raised Storage Reservoirs - large bodies of water that are stored above the level of the ground.

Water Surplus -  an area has more water it needs to supply its population.

Water Deficit - an area does not have enough water to supply its population.

Water Neutral - an area has the right amount of water to supply its population.

Geography: Unit 2