5.2 - ENDOGENIC PROCESSES
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Introduction to Endogenic Processes
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Today, we're diving into endogenic processes. Can anyone tell me what they think endogenic processes involve?
I think they have to do with processes that happen inside the Earth?
Exactly! Endogenic processes refer to internal forces that cause changes within the Earth. This leads to landform creation. What might some examples be?
Maybe earthquakes and volcanoes?
Great examples! Earthquakes and volcanism are indeed part of this. Let’s remember this with the acronym 'E.R.V.' which stands for Earthquakes, Rock movements, and Volcanism. So, endogenic processes play a crucial role in shaping our planet, wouldn’t you agree?
Yes! It's interesting how these processes keep the Earth dynamic.
Absolutely! They create landforms that are essential for our environment. Let's move on to explore diastrophism.
Diastrophism
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Now, can someone summarize what diastrophism is?
Is it about the movement and deformation of the Earth's crust?
Correct! Diastrophism includes all processes that move or elevate crustal sections. There are two main types. Can anyone name one?
Orogenic processes for mountain building!
Exactly! Also, there are epeirogenic processes, which involve large-scale crustal uplift. Think of them as the broad movements compared to the more localized mountain building. Remember 'O.E.' for Orogenic and Epeirogenic!
How do earthquakes fit into this?
Good question! Earthquakes are part of the dynamic crustal movements associated with diastrophism. Let’s keep in mind how interconnected these processes are.
Volcanism
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Let’s move on to volcanism. How would you describe it?
I think it’s about magma moving to the surface, right?
Exactly! Volcanism involves the movement of molten rock, which can create various formations. Can anyone name one type of landform created by volcanism?
Volcanoes are the obvious one!
Absolutely! Volcanoes are significant features resulting from volcanism. It’s essential to understand both volcanism and diastrophism to grasp the complete picture of Earth's endogenic processes.
How does that tie into landform evolution?
Great link! Both processes continuously shape our landscape, contributing to the diversity of landforms we see. Let's remember that together - remember 'E.D.' for Elevation and Deformation!
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
This section focuses on endogenic processes, such as diastrophism and volcanism, which arise from the Earth's internal energy. These processes contribute to the development of landforms by building up the Earth's surface, creating mountains and other geological features, while contrasting with exogenic processes that wear down the landscape.
Detailed
Endogenic Processes
Endogenic processes are driven by the Earth's internal energy, primarily from radioactivity and geothermal gradients, leading to significant geological changes. Two main types of endogenic processes are discussed: diastrophism and volcanism. Diastrophism encompasses all processes that move or elevate the Earth’s crust, including mountain building (orogeny) and uplift (epeirogeny), while volcanism involves the movement of magma, resulting in volcanic formations.
Key Points:
- Diastrophism includes:
- Orogenic Processes: Mountain building through severe crustal folding.
- Epeirogenic Processes: Uplifting or warping of large crustal sections.
- Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics: Local movements and horizontal crustal shifts.
- Volcanism relates to magma movement onto the Earth's surface, forming various landforms.
- The processes are essential to understand how the Earth's surface evolves, as they create features that contrast with the wearing effects of exogenic processes. Thus, endogenic processes continuously build up landforms, countering the degradation caused by external forces.
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Energy from Within the Earth
Chapter 1 of 4
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Chapter Content
The energy emanating from within the earth is the main force behind endogenic geomorphic processes. This energy is mostly generated by radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction and primordial heat from the origin of the earth.
Detailed Explanation
Endogenic processes are driven by energy that originates from inside the Earth. This energy comes from several sources: radioactivity (the decay of radioactive elements), rotational frictions (the movement of Earth itself), and tidal friction (the gravitational pull of the moon and sun). Primordial heat refers to the heat from when the Earth was formed. All these factors together create movements and changes in the Earth's crust, leading to various geological phenomena.
Examples & Analogies
Think of the Earth like a pressure cooker. The heat inside causes pressure to build up, creating steam. Similarly, the heat generated by the Earth's core causes internal pressure, leading to events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Diastrophism Defined
Chapter 2 of 4
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Chapter Content
All processes that move, elevate or build up portions of the earth’s crust come under diastrophism. They include: (i) orogenic processes involving mountain building through severe folding and affecting long and narrow belts of the earth’s crust; (ii) epeirogenic processes involving uplift or warping of large parts of the earth’s crust; (iii) earthquakes involving local relatively minor movements; (iv) plate tectonics involving horizontal movements of crustal plates.
Detailed Explanation
Diastrophism refers to processes that deform the Earth's crust. There are several key processes here:
1. Orogenic processes - These lead to the formation of mountains through folding of the crust.
2. Epeirogenic processes - These cause large areas of the crust to uplift or warp, affecting broad regions rather than specific mountain ranges.
3. Earthquakes - These are sudden movements of the crust that occur over small areas but can have significant effects.
4. Plate tectonics - This involves the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates, which can lead to various geological features and events.p
Examples & Analogies
Imagine stretching and compressing a rubber band. Just like how the rubber band moves in different ways when you pull, push, or release it, the Earth's crust moves due to the forces acting upon it, causing mountains to rise and earthquakes to happen.
Volcanism Explained
Chapter 3 of 4
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Chapter Content
Volcanism includes the movement of molten rock (magma) onto or toward the earth’s surface and also formation of many intrusive and extrusive volcanic forms. Many aspects of volcanism have already been dealt in detail under volcanoes in the Unit II and under igneous rocks in the preceding chapter in this unit.
Detailed Explanation
Volcanism is the process through which magma from the Earth's interior reaches the surface. This can happen in two ways:
1. Intrusive volcanism - where magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface.
2. Extrusive volcanism - where magma erupts onto the surface as lava, which can then form various volcanic structures. The study of volcanism encompasses both the activity of volcanoes and the rocks that result from these processes.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a soda bottle that has been shaken. When you open it, the pressure causes soda to spew out explosively. Similarly, when pressure builds up in a volcano, it can lead to a volcanic eruption where molten rock bursts forth from the Earth.
Uneven Crust and Tectonic Forces
Chapter 4 of 4
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Chapter Content
Due to variations in geothermal gradients and heat flow from within, crustal thickness and strength, the action of endogenic forces are not uniform and hence the tectonically controlled original crustal surface is uneven.
Detailed Explanation
The Earth's crust is not uniform due to the varying internal temperatures and pressures. Different areas experience different amounts of heat and stress which leads to thick or thin sections in the crust. Consequently, this unevenness influences how landforms develop and change over time.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a patch of dough that you press unevenly; some parts may be thick while others are thin. Similarly, the uneven pressure from the Earth's inner layers creates varying crustal thickness, leading to the diverse landscapes we see on Earth.
Key Concepts
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Endogenic Processes: Internal forces shaping the Earth's crust.
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Diastrophism: Movement and deformation of the Earth's crust.
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Volcanism: Magma movement leading to volcanic formation.
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Orogenic and Epeirogenic Processes: Types of diastrophism focused on mountain building and broad uplifting respectively.
Examples & Applications
The formation of the Himalayas through orogenic processes.
The eruption of Mount St. Helens as an example of volcanism.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
When the Earth shifts and grows, diastrophism shows. With volcanic flows, new landforms it throws.
Stories
Imagine a giant sculptor inside the Earth, shaping mountains and valleys with heat and pressure; that’s diastrophism and volcanism creating our landscape!
Memory Tools
Use ‘D.E.V.’ to remember 'Diastrophism, Elevation, and Volcanism' as key endogenic processes.
Acronyms
‘E.R.V.’ stands for Earthquakes, Rock movements, and Volcanism—remembering events tied to endogenic processes.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Diastrophism
Processes that move, elevate, or build up portions of the Earth’s crust.
- Volcanism
Movement of molten rock to or toward the Earth's surface, resulting in volcanic formations.
- Orogenic Processes
Mountain building processes arising from severe folding of the Earth’s crust.
- Epeirogenic Processes
Uplift or warping of large parts of the Earth’s crust.
- Earthquake
A sudden and intense shaking of the ground, caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
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