Bob Leighty Mountains of the World GLG 101 - Physical Geology.

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Bob Leighty Bob Leighty Mountains of the World Mountains of the World GLG 101 - Physical Geology GLG 101 - Physical Geology

Transcript of Bob Leighty Mountains of the World GLG 101 - Physical Geology.

Page 1: Bob Leighty Mountains of the World GLG 101 - Physical Geology.

Bob LeightyBob Leighty

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the World

GLG 101 - Physical GeologyGLG 101 - Physical Geology

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These lecture notes are very similar to the ones I use in my traditional classes. You’ll find they are loaded with imagery and streamlined text that highlight the most essential terms and concepts. The notes provide a framework for learning and, by themselves, are not meant to be a comprehensive source of information.

To take advantage of the global knowledge base known as the Internet, I have included numerous hyperlinks to external web sites (like the Wikipedia, USGS, NASA, etc.). Follow the links and scan them for relevant info. The information from linked web sites is meant to supplement and reinforce the lecture notes – you won’t be responsible for knowing everything contained in them.

As a distance learning student, you need to explore and understand the content more independently than in a traditional class. As always, I will help guide you through this learning adventure. Remember, email Dr. Bob if you have any questions about today’s lecture ([email protected]).Leave no questions behind!

Explore and have fun!Explore and have fun!

These notes and web links are your primary “lecture” content in this class. Additionally, various articles are assigned each week to supplement this “lecture” information. I believe you’ll have enough information to reference without having to purchase a costly textbook.

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Orogenic (not a dirty word): mountain-building

Orogeny: mountain-building event (e.g., Himalayan Orogeny)

Orogenic belt: mountain belt (e.g., Himalaya)

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

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> The thicker the crust, the higher it “floats”

> Crust is buoyant & “floats” on top of the mantle

Isostasy = gravitational balance

> Thin crust = low elevations = sedimentary basins

> Thick crust = high elevations = mountains

Elevation is related to crustal (continental or oceanic) thickness

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

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Continental crust averages ~35 km thick

Oceanic crust averages ~7 km thick

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

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1) Thicken the crust by tectonic compression

2) Thicken the crust by magmatism

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

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Ways To Make MountainsWays To Make Mountains

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3) Thermal uplift by magmatism

Ways To Make MountainsWays To Make Mountains

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

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Extension (pull & stretch)

Erosion (off the top)

Ways To Thin the CrustWays To Thin the Crust

Orogenic BasicsOrogenic BasicsMountainsMountains

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Mountains can form anywhere, but mainly at tectonic plate boundaries

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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Himalayas & Alps (mostly Cenozoic)

Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

Appalachians, Urals (mostly Paleozoic)

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HimalayasHimalayas

Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

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AppalachiansAppalachians

Continent-Continent Convergent MarginsContinent-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

Andes, Cascades (mostly Cenozoic)Rocky Mountains

(Late Mesozoic-Early Cenozoic)

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Andes, CascadesAndes, Cascades

Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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“Continental arcs”

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Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains

Ocean-Continent Convergent MarginsOcean-Continent Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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Aleutians, Japan(Cenozoic)

Ocean-Ocean Convergent MarginsOcean-Ocean Convergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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“Island arcs”

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Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East Pacific Rise (Cenozoic)

Oceanic Divergent MarginsOceanic Divergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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“Mid-ocean Ridges”

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Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

East Africa Rift, Basin & Range, Sierra Nevada(Cenozoic)

“Continental Rift”

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Basin & RangeBasin & Range

Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

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Sierra NevadaSierra Nevada

Continental Divergent MarginsContinental Divergent Margins

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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Hawaiian Islands - Emperor Seamounts(largely Cenozoic)

Intraplate “Hotspots”Intraplate “Hotspots”

Mountains of the WorldMountains of the WorldMountainsMountains

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WWW Links in this LectureWWW Links in this Lecture

> Orogeny - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orogeny

> Isostasy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isostasy

> Buoyancy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy

> Crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crust_%28geology%29

> Mantle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_%28geology%29

> Continental crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_crust

> Oceanic crust - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_crust

> Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains

> Tectonic plate boundaries - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics#Types_of_plate_boundaries

> Appalachian Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains

> Ural Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural_Mountains

> Himalayas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas

> Alps - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps

> Andes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes

> Cascades - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range

> Rocky Mountains - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains

> Volcanic arc - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_arc

MountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World

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WWW Links in this LectureWWW Links in this Lecture

> Aleutian Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleutian_Islands

> Japanese Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Japan

> Mid-ocean ridge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-ocean_ridge

> Mid-Atlantic ridge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_Ridge

> East Pacific Rise - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Pacific_Rise

> Continental rift - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift_valley

> East African Rift - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Rift_Valley

> Basin and Range - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basin_and_Range_Province

> Sierra Nevada - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_%28U.S.%29

> Hawaiian Islands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_Islands

> Emperor Seamounts - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian-

Emperor_seamount_chain

MountainsMountains

of the Worldof the World