8.4 How Is The Physical Landscape of Hong Kong Shaped by External Processes Student-1

Dynamic Earth / 8.4 How is the physical landscape of Hong Kong shaped by external processes?
HKUGA College
HKDSE Geography
1/36 Prepared by Anda Ho

Geomorphology
⬧ The study of the landforms on the earth’s surface and of the processes that shape these landforms
⬧ Various external processes break down the rocks formed on the earth’s surface and carry them
away
Figure 1: External processes (p.55)

Denudation
⬧ External processes which wear down rocks on the earth’s surface
⬧ Four processes are included:
 Weathering (no movement is involved; by water, air (gas), changes in temperature and
pressure, and living organisms)
 Mass movement (no moving agent, such as water or wind is involved; by gravity)
 Erosion*
 Transportation*
(* by runoff, waves, glaciers (ice) and wind)
Deposition
⬧ Loose slope materials are transported to other places by moving agents (e.g. rivers, wind and
waves)
⬧ Deposition of transported materials takes place when a moving agent slows down (e.g. river
water enters into the sea)
(A)The weathering of rocks

⬧ The processes by which rocks disintegrate or decompose in situ due to:
 Changing temperature
 Changing pressure
 Moisture
 Action of living organisms
⬧ Weathering breaks down rock into a blanket of loose rock debris, called regolith, which covers
the unweathered bedrock. Regolith will form the parent materials from which soil develops.
Figure 2: Regolith and bedrock (p.55)
Two types of weathering (i.e. mechanical and chemical weathering) produce five forms of
weathering shown as follow:
Figure 3: Five forms of weathering (p.56)
(1) Mechanical (physical) weathering

⬧ Physical change in the size and shape of the rock, which eventually cause the rock to
weaken and break into smaller angular fragments without changing their
chemical composition
⬧ Brought about by:
(a) Thermal expansion and contraction
Areas with  Diurnal range of temperature (e.g. exposed area without any cover
during summer when repeated heating by sunlight and cooling by rainwater in Hong
Kong)
➔ Rock is heated up intensely during the day and then cools to a low
temperature at night
➔ Alternate expansion and contraction of the rocks
➔ Nature of rocks determines the shape of shattering (e.g. boulders, grains or slabs)

(i) Block disintegration (on rocks with many cracks / well jointed rocks)
Repeated expansion and contraction enlarge the cracks
➔ Large masses split away from the main rock along main cracks
➔ Rocks break down
Figure 4: Block disintegration
Figure 5: Block disintegration in Hong Kong
(ii) Granular disintegration

(on coarse-grained rocks with different minerals – e.g. granite)
Different minerals expand and contract at different rates
➔ Rocks with various minerals are under stress during alternate
heating and cooling
➔ Individual mineral grains break off from the rock surface
Figure 6: Granular disintegration

(iii) Exfoliation (on a fine-grained with uniform structure)
The surface and the interior of this rock may expand and contract at different
rates
➔ Rock surfaces are heated up rapidly during the day and cool down
quickly at night
➔ Stresses created on the outer layer of the rock, which develop
concentric and radial cracks
➔ Outer layer of the rock is pulled away or split off like the skin of an
onion from the cooler interior
Figure 7: Exfoliation caused by thermal expansion and contraction
Figure 8: Exfoliation (peeling)
(b) Pressure release of rocks

Rocks deep in the crust (plutonic rocks) are under great pressure exerted from the
overlying rocks
➔ Pressure on the rocks beneath is released when the overlying rocks
are removed (as unloading)
➔ Rocks expand and break, and Cracks are formed parallel to the rock surface
➔ Outer layers of rocks break away and peel off like onions
➔ Rock splits into sheets or blocks that are parallel to the rock
surface as sheeting

Figure 9: How release of pressure on rock causes underlying rock to be weathered (p.58)
Figure10: Sheeting of granite on Po Toi causes rock beneath to be subject to further weathering (p.58)
(c) Crystal growth

(i) By ice crystals as Freeze-thaw action
Water seeps into a crack and the air temperature falls to 0°C or lower, ice (or ice
crystal) forms in the crack
➔ Ice exerts great pressure on the rock when the volume of ice is 10% larger
than water
➔ Crack is widened
➔ Water is able to fill in the widened crack when ice thaws
➔ Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing of ice crystals weaken the rock
➔ Smaller pieces of rock are broken away as freeze-thaw action
Figure 11: Repeated freezing and thawing of water leads to disintegration of the rock (p.59)
(ii) By salt crystals as Salt weathering
Wet onshore winds pick up salt from the sea in the coastal areas
➔ Saline solution is formed which seeps into cracks or pores in coastal rocks
➔ Crystallization takes place and salt crystals are left in the cracks when
water evaporates
➔ Over time, the salt crystals accumulate and grow in the cracks or pores
➔ Pressure is exerted to rock and finally break off mineral grains forming
many small pits on the rock surface as honeycomb weathering
OR
➔ Growth of salt crystals forces the cracks to widen if the rock is
well-jointed or has many cracks found in the intertidal zone
➔ Outer layer of rock will break into small pieces which eventually
peel off the rock’s surface as exfoliation
Figure 12: Repeated growth of salt crystals causes pits to Figure 13: growth of salt crystals widens the cracks on the
form on rock on Ping Chau, Mirs Bay (also found in p.59) rock surface (p.59)
(d) Biological activity

Tree roots force open the joints in rocks
➔ Causing large physical pressure and breaking the rock along the joints
Figure 14: Plant roots as a powerful tool for mechanical weathering by enlarging joints
Figure 15: Summary of Mechanical weathering
(2) Chemical weathering

⬧ Reaction between the rock and the gases in the air, water or other solutions
with which they come into contact
⬧ Causing certain minerals to change into more vulnerable ones by weakening the
internal structure of rocks (e.g. feldspar in granite becomes clay by hydrolysis) and
hence decomposition
(a) Four processes of chemical weathering

(i) Oxidation
Minerals react and combine with oxygen (as metal rusting) in the air or dissolve in
the water
e.g. Iron oxidizes ➔ Reddish-brown iron oxide
(ii) Hydration
Absorption of water into the mineral structure
➔ Turning into new but more vulnerable minerals
e.g. Calcium sulphate ➔ Gypsum
(iii) Hydrolysis
Minerals react with hydrogen in water and break down the original structure
e.g. Feldspar ➔ kaolin (a kind of clay) after combining with hydrogen
(iv) Solution and carbonation
Dissolving of soluble minerals in pure water or weak acid
e.g. (1) Calcium carbonate in limestone dissolved by carbonic acid / acid rain
(sulphuric acid)
(2) Organic acid from plant roots / Humic acid during decomposition attack
the underlying rocks and weaken the structure

Figure 16: Summary of Chemical weathering
(b) Two forms of chemical weathering

(i) Honeycomb weathering (not common in Hong Kong)
⬧ Removal of minerals in solution produces a honeycombed effect
⬧ Commonly found along the coast where salt spray from the sea dissolves the
minerals in the rocks
Figure 17: Honeycomb weathering in Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan
(ii) Spheroidal weathering

⬧ Takes place mainly on the surface and along the joints of the rock
⬧ Water seeps through joints where weathering starts working from and
towards the interior of the rock
➔ Corestone gets smaller and rounded (as tors when exposed on surface)

Figure 18: Spheroidal weathering (p.62)

Major factors affecting weathering
Factors Characteristics
⬧ Temperature and moisture are particularly crucial to the rate of
weathering
Climate Figure 17: The influence of climate on the type of weathering
Temperature:
⬧ Large daily range of temperature ➔ Frequent alternate thermal
expansion and contraction cause rock to disintegrate quickly
⬧ (High / Low) temperatures lead to fast chemical weathering as the rate
of chemical reaction (increases / decreases) with temperature
Rainfall:
⬧ High rainfall facilitates chemical weathering, because:
– More rainwater seeps into joints and cracks of rock, which favours
spheroidal weathering
– More soluble rock minerals, such as calcium carbonate will be
dissolved and removed by rainwater
⬧ Rock with soluble minerals, e.g. limestone ➔ Vulnerable to chemical
weathering in a wet climate, or in coastal areas where seawater sprays
are common
⬧ Rock made of minerals with different expansion and contraction rate ➔
Vulnerable to physical / mechanical weathering, e.g. granular
Rock Type disintegration
⬧ Rock with more joints is vulnerable to:
– Physical / mechanical weathering, as joints are easily enlarged due
to alternate thermal expansion and contraction / pressure release
– Chemical weathering, as joints provide spaces for water seepages
– Biological weathering as plant roots grow into joints
Plant growth is active in places with hot and wet climate. Active plant
Vegetation
growth can have two effects on physical / mechanical weathering

⬧ Facilitates physical / mechanical weathering as the growth of tree roots
may widen joints or cracks
⬧ Slows down physical / mechanical weathering as trees provide shade /
shelter from strong sunlight
Thickness of the
⬧ If the bedrock is covered by a (thick / thin) layer of weathered material,
weathered
further weathering of the bedrock is restricted
materials
⬧ The longer the rock is exposed to the air, the (more / less) it is affected
Time
by weathering

(B)Mass Movement / Mass Wasting
⬧ The movement of slope materials en masse (altogether) downhill due to the force of gravity
⬧ Takes place when stress exceeds the strength
⬧ Does NOT involve any agent e.g. water and wind
Slope materials are under the effect of two sets of forces

(i) Gravity (as shear stress)
Downward pulling force that exerts pressure to move the materials downslope, controlled
by:
(a) Gradient of the slope
(b) Weight of the slope materials
(ii) Internal cohesion of slope materials and friction (as shear strength)
Prevents slope materials from falling downslope, controlled by:
(a) Cohesion of slope materials
(b) Force of friction to sliding of the materials
Figure 19: Slope Stability responds to the external environment
Figure 20: Conditions under which mass movement may occur (p.64)
Classification of Mass movement

(1) Rate of movement
Fast (e.g. rockfall) ➔ Slow (e.g. soil creep)
(2) Way of slope materials move
(a) Flows – materials moving like a viscous fluid, e.g. mudflow
(b) Falls – free fall of individual rock of any size, e.g. rockfall
(c) Slides – rock moves quite smoothly along a well-defined surface, e.g. landslides
(d) Creep – very slow movement of materials downhill, e.g. soil creep

Figure 21: Characteristics of mass movement in terms of rate of movement and the wetness of the slope materials
Types of mass movement in Hong Kong

(1) Rockfalls
⬧ A sudden and very fast movement
⬧ Free fall of rock fragments ranging from small grains to huge blocks from steep
or overhanging slopes
⬧ Partially weathered rocks lose support and fall apart ∵ gravity
Figure 22: A rockfall (p.65)
(2) Landslides / Slumping

⬧ A kind of fast movement by which rocks and soils of all sizes collapse through either
sliding (along a straight surface) or slumping (along a curved surface)
⬧ More likely to occur on steep slope
⬧ Usually takes place after rain when the slope materials are sufficiently soaked with
water leading to the increase in pore water pressure and the reduction of
cohesion ( Friction) of the slope materials

Figure 23: A landslide (p.65)
Others – Soil creep (slow mass movement)
Figure 24: The Effects of Soil Creep
⬧ Alternate wetting and drying in summer

⬧ Soil expands at right angles to the slope when soil is soaked with rainwater
➔ Soil contracts and falls back vertically to the slope of bedrock when drying up
➔ Soil moves downslope slowly with repeated wetting and drying
Figure 25: The cause of soil creep due to alternate wet and dry periods

Factors Effect
Water reduces both the coherence of the slope materials and the friction. (
Shear strength) When the amount of water in the slope materials increases beyond
Water
a certain level, the coherence of the materials will be broken.
At the same time, water increases the weight on the slope. ( Shear stress)
When a slope is cut, the angle of the slope increases. This in turn increases the
Gradient
danger of slope failure.
Some rocks are more resistant to mass movement. For example, granite is
Rock
more resistant to mass movement than siltstone.
On the one hand, roots of vegetation help hold the soil. This reduces the danger
of slope failure.
On the other hand, plant roots release organic acid, which causes chemical
Vegetation
weathering of rocks below. Besides, a larger number of trees may have a
negative effect on slope stability on steep slopes. Therefore, tall trees are
often removed on steep slope during slope improvement.
Strong earthquakes can trigger landslides as the vibration loosens the
Earthquake
coherence of slope materials. The Sichuan earthquake illustrates this well.
When permeable rocks are underlain by impermeable rock, the possibility of mass
movement is high. This is because the percolating water cannot penetrate the
impermeable layer and is forced to flow between the bedding planes. It
reduces the friction there. If the rock above the plane is weathered and
loosened, the material will easily be pulled downslope by gravity.
Geological
structure
Coarser soil has a larger angle of repose (the maximum angle the slope
materials can stand before they collapse due to gravity). Therefore, the finer the
Soil texture soil, the higher the risk of mass movement.
In addition, finer soil is more risky than coarse soil, because the former has more
pores. Its drainage is poorer so it gets saturated more easily.
Table 26: Major factors of mass movement

(C)Erosion
Types of erosion
(1) Water erosion on slopes
⬧ Splashes of heavy rain
– Loosen and move soil
Figure 27: Rainsplash effect
⬧ Rainwater
– Infiltrate into the soil when falling onto a slope
– Excess rainwater flows over the surface as runoff or overland flow when soil is
saturated (or rate of precipitation > rate of infiltration)
➔ Soil grains are removed downslope
⬧ Rill erosion under alternate drying and wetting (where X /  vegetation cover)
– Topsoil and regolith is exposed to drying effect of winds contributing to the
contraction of surface as cracks when losing water
– Rainwater running down the wall of the cracks removes the soil
grains during rainy season
➔ Rills (narrow channels) developed as rill erosion
➔ Rills develop to become deeper and wider channels as gullies (i.e. gully
erosion)
➔ Areas with a dense concentration of gullies are known as badlands

Figure 28: Formation of rills and gullies (p.67) Figure 26: A gully (p.67)
(2) Fluvial and coastal erosion (in Part 2 – Managing river and coastal environments)
⬧ Fluvial erosion
– The erosion of rock materials from river banks and river beds
⬧ Coastal erosion
– The erosion brought about by waves and tides
Major factors affecting the rate of erosion

Factors How it affects the rate of erosion
⬧ Water favours (chemical / mechanical) weathering and results in thick
regolith on slopes. Regolith is loose and easily removed by rivers,
Water /
winds, etc.
Rainwater
⬧ Water is a moving / an erosion agent. When it flows downslope (i.e.
overland flow), it removes loose slope materials
⬧ Overland flow and river flow on steep slope have a (high / low) speed.
Gradient
This increases the erosive power of water
⬧ Less resistant rock, such as granite / siltstone / limestone, is easily
weathered under hot and wet climate
Slope materials
⬧ When there is large amount of loose weathered materials on slope,
erosion occurs more easily
⬧ Density of vegetation affects the rate of weathering and thus the depth
of weathered profile
⬧ Dense vegetation (increases / reduces) the amount of overland flow,
Vegetation
thus reduces the rate of erosion, such as rill erosion
⬧ Roots of vegetation can hold the slope materials and therefore slow
down the rate of erosion

(D) Deposition
Takes place when rivers and waves lose their energy (Chapter 2), e.g.
⬧ Rivers enter the sea at the river mouth
⬧ Floodwater overflows the channel and inundates the valley
⬧ Waves enter an area of shallow water
⬧ Waves enter a sheltered area
Physical landscape of Hong Kong shaped by external processes

(1) Uplands and low hills
Resistance to
Rock type Resultant Relief in HK
weathering and erosion
Igneous Extrusive  Steep, rugged hills with angular
(i.e. tuff) peaks, e.g. Tai Mo Shan and
Lantau Peak
High
 Uplands, such as in western
Lantau and central and eastern
New Territories
Intrusive Low hills below 500m with gentle
(i.e. granite) Low slopes and rounded peaks, e.g.
Beacon Hill
Sedimentary Conglomerate Protect underlying less resistant
High rock to form high hill / ridges, e.g.
Pat Sin Leng
Others, except Form low-lying areas with layered
Low
conglomerate rock structures, e.g. Ping Chau
(2) Deep weathering profiles and tor formation

∵ Fast chemical weathering
Presence of joints on granite allows water to penetrate deep below the surface
➔ Thick weathering profile of granite
Top – completely weathered granite as fine regolith
Near bedrock – unweathered corestones formed by spheroidal weathering with
progressively larger and higher angularity
∵  Difficult for water to penetrate further ( Weathering with  Depth)
➔ Granite corestones are left as tors when overlying materials are removed

Figure 27: The cross-section of the weathering profile of granite (p.70)
Figure 28: Amah Rock as an example of a tor formation (when corestones are piled up) (p.70)
(3) Badlands
⬧ Absence / removal of vegetation on slopes
⬧ Heavy rain in summer
➔ Bare surface areas form when the topsoil and the regolith are eroded
➔ Hillsides are dissected / cut up by many deep gullies forming badlands
e.g. Northern Lantau and Castle Peak

Figure 29: Badlands at Castle Peak (p.70)
(4) Other features

(a) From weathering
Rock Appearance Associated weathering
Cracks occur on the rock, where

Oxidation
reddish brown colour is found at
(Chemical weathering)
the two sides of the cracks.
Exfoliation
(Mechanical weathering –
alternate expansion and
contraction)
The rock is rounded in shape. Outer and
layers of rock have peeled off like Oxidation
onions. Reddish brown patches are (Chemical weathering)
found on the rock. +
Spheroidal
(concentration of chemical
weathering at the junction of
joints)

(b) From erosion
⬧ Rapids (hydraulic
action and abrasion)
⬧ Waterfall and plunge
River
pool (hydraulic action
and abrasion)
⬧ Pothole (abrasion)
Figure 30: Formation of waterfall and plunge pool
⬧ Sea caves
⬧ Sea Cliff
Coast
⬧ Blow-hole
(by wave erosion)
Figure 31: Coastline of Fu Tau Fan Chau to the south of High Island Reservoir
is shaped by wave erosion
(c) From deposition

⬧ Coastal deposition
— Mainly found in sheltered areas along the coastline
Features:
— Beaches (e.g. Repulse Bay)
— Spits (e.g. in Pui O)
— Tombolos (e.g. in Cheung Chau, Kiu Chui Chau / Sharp Island and Ma Shi Chau)
⬧ River deposition
— Mainly found in the lower course of the rivers
Features:
— Flood plains (e.g. Yuen Long, Kam Tin and Fanling)
— Wetlands (e.g. North of Yuen Long and Tai O)
END

1. (95/Q4)
The figure below shows a weathering system.
INPUT WEATHERING OUTPUT

PROCESS
Temperature Disintegrated
fluctuating around blocks of rock
0°C
Well-jointed rock X
Rainfall Scree
X stands for
A. exfoliation. B. freeze-thaw action.
C. spheroidal weathering. D. honey-comb weathering.
2. (95/Q5)
Refer to the feature in above photograph. Which of the following conditions favour its
formation?
(1) rocks with soluble minerals (2) a coastal location
(3) a large temperature range (4) acidic rain
A. (1) and (2) only B. (3) and (4) only
C. (1), (2) and (4) only D. (1), (3) and (4) only
3. (95/Q9)
A student draws a field sketch of a hillslope. Which of the following is the most suitable title for
the sketch?
A. faulting B. slumping
C. soil creep D. gullying
4. (96/Q1)
The following statements describe how a mountain is worn down.
(1) The screes are removed by erosional agents.
(2) The fragments collapse under gravity.
(3) Weathering agents help disintegrate and decompose the rocks.
(4) The rocks are exposed.
Which of the following is the correct sequence of occurrence?
A. (1), (2), (3), (4) B. (1), (4), (2), (3)
C. (4), (2), (3), (1) D. (4), (3), (2), (1)
5. (96/Q2)
Refer to the above figure. Which of the following are the correct terms for naming the
weathering processes at 1 and 2?
(1) (2)
A. Honeycomb weathering Exfoliation

B. Spheroidal weathering Freeze and thaw
C. Biological weathering Granular disintegration
D. Exfoliation Block disintegration
6. (96/Q3)
The above figure shows three different types of mass movement. What is process X?
A. rockfall B. mudflow
C. terracette formation D. slumping
7. (96/Q4)
Which of the following types of mass movement is most unlikely to cause hazards?
A. soil creep B. rockfall
C. landslide D. mudflow
8. (96/Q10)
Which of the following weathering processes and their weathering products are correctly
paired?
(1) freeze and thaw action – screes (2) granular disintegration – sand
(3) spheroidal weathering – corestones (4) exfoliation – bedrock
A. (1), (2) and (3) only B. (1), (2) and (4) only
9. (96/Q10)
Which of the following regions are more favourable for chemical weathering?
(1) mountains in high latitudes (2) tropical rainforests
(3) hot deserts (4) tropical grasslands
C. (2) and (4) only D. (3) and (4) only

10. (97/Q14)
Which of the following are factors contributing to the formation of the feature shown in the
above photograph?
(1) removal of vegetation cover (2) weathering of the parent rock
(3) erosion caused by surface run-off (4) erosion due to underground water
11. (97/Q20)
The above diagram describes the characteristics of one type of mass movement. It should be
A. mud flow. B. soil creep.
C. rock fall. D. landslide.
12. (97/Q22)
Water is an important agent of chemical weathering. Which of the following weathering
processes involve chemical changes of minerals when affected by water?
(1) freeze and thaw action (2) hydrolysis
(3) oxidation (4) carbonation
13. (97/Q33)
The landscape shown in the above figure has undergone the process of
(1) submergence (2) vulcanicity
(3) river erosion (4) sedimentation
A. (1) and (2) only B. (1), (3) and (4) only
C. (2), (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
14. (97/Q20)
Which of the following features may have resulted from the action of rain?
(1) tors (2) badland
(3) screes (4) earth pillars
15. (98/Q8)
Place A B C D
Annual rainfall (mm) 1 500 275 500 2 000
Diurnal range of temperature in summer (°C) 6 18 10 4
Annual range of temperature (°C) 20 50 15 6
Refer to the above table. In which of the following places is physical weathering most likely to
occur?
A. A B. B
C. C D. D

16. (98/Q11)
The phenomenon shown in the above photograph is

A. exfoliation B. biological weathering
C. granular disintegration D. block disintegration
17. (99/Q15)
The photograph shows a weathering process commonly found in Hong Kong. It is

A. block disintegration. B. granular disintegration.
C. exfoliation. D. oxidation.

18. (99/Q16)
Which of the following features result from chemical weathering?
(1) tors (2) honeycombed rocks
(3) clints and grikes (4) core stones
C. (1), (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
19. (99/Q17)
The rock feature shown in the photograph above is a result of

(1) erosion. (2) physical weathering.
(3) chemical weathering. (4) river deposition.
20. (99/Q20)
Which of the following factors are most likely to affect the physical weathering of rocks?
(1) drought (2) large diurnal range of temperature
(3) well jointed rock (4) strong wind
21. (99/Q24)
Which of the following explain the formation of the landform feature in the above figure?
(1) lack of vegetation cover (2) presence of coarse-grained rock
(3) warm and wet climate (4) heavy rainfall
A. (1) and (4) only B. (1), (2) and (3) only
C. (2), (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
22. (00/Q16)
Which of the following have favoured the occurrence of chemical weathering in Hong Kong?
(1) hot and wet climate (2) well-jointed rocks
(3) presence of acid rain (4) hilly relief
23. (00/Q21)
The above photograph was taken in the central part of Australia. The landscape shown in the
photograph has resulted from
(1) extremes of temperature. (2) arid condition.
(3) wind action. (4) rain erosion.
C. (1), (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
24. (00/Q25)
Study the above photograph which was taken at the coast in Hong Kong. Feature X is formed
by
(1) thermal expansion and contraction. (2) destructive wave action.
(3) the attack of acid rain.
A. (1) only B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only D. (2) and (3) only
25. (01/Q15)
Refer to the figure above. The most likely weathering processes that may occur at Q are
(1) block disintegration (2) exfoliation
(3) biological weathering (4) spheroidal weathering
C. (1), (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
26. (01/Q16)
Which of the following factors may lead to the kind of weathering shown in the above
photograph?
(1) a great diurnal range of temperature (2) the absence of vegetation cover
(3) the coarse-grained texture (4) the existence of joints
27. (01/Q17)
Which of the following features are formed as a result of mass movement?
(1) gullies (2) meanders
(3) screes (4) terracettes
C. (1), (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
28. (02/Q19)
Refer to the above figure, which shows a soil profile. Which of the following are correct?
(1) The climate there is hot and wet.
(2) The rock is well-jointed.
(3) There has been strong chemical weathering.
(4) There has been heavy erosion.
29. (02/Q20)
Which of the following processes may lead to the formation of the feature shown in the above
photograph?
(1) tension (2) rill erosion
(3) weathering (4) mass wasting
30. (02/Q21)
Which of the following processes may result in the round boulder shown in the above
photograph?
(1) mass wasting (2) granular disintegration
(3) exfoliation (4) spheroidal weathering
31. (03/Q18)
The feature shown in the above photograph is often found along the seashore. Which of the
following factors are responsible for its formation?
(1) differential resistance of minerals (2) sea spray action
(3) having coarse-grained texture (4) having well-jointed rock structure
C. (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2) and (3) only
32. (03/Q21)
The feature shown in the above photograph is commonly found in Hong Kong. Its occurrence is
a result of
(1) a large diurnal range of temperature. (2) the low-resistance of rock.
(3) a well-jointed rock structure. (4) the strong wind erosion.
33. (03/Q24)
Refer to the above photograph. Which of the following phenomena can account for the
formation of the natural landscape in this region?
(1) severe erosion of the land surface (2) intensive leaching
(3) a well-jointed rock structure (4) strong chemical weathering

34. (03/Q27)
Which of the following processes have occurred in the area as shown in the above photograph?
(1) spheroidal weathering (2) honeycomb weathering
(3) block disintegration (4) biological weathering
35. (04/Q17)
The weathering processes shown in the above photograph can be found in

(1) areas with a great diurnal range of temperature.
(2) granitic areas.
(3) rocks with different minerals.
(4) well-jointed rocks.

36. (04/Q18)
Which of the following processes are most likely to be involved in the formation of the
landform feature shown in the above photograph?
(1) deposition (2) weathering
(3) erosion (4) mass movement
37. (04/Q35)
Which of the following changes are represented by the direction of the arrow shown on the map
below?
(1) decrease in population density

(2) increase in the degree of mechanical weathering
(3) increase in rainfall reliability
(4) decrease in agricultural intensity
C. (1), (2) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
END

8.4 How Is The Physical Landscape of Hong Kong Shaped by External Processes Student-1

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8.4 How Is The Physical Landscape of Hong Kong Shaped by External Processes Student-1

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Dynamic Earth / 8.4 How is the physical landscape of Hong Kong shaped by external processes?

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Figure 1: External processes (p.55)

(A)The weathering of rocks

Figure 2: Regolith and bedrock (p.55)

Figure 3: Five forms of weathering (p.56)

(1) Mechanical (physical) weathering

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Figure 4: Block disintegration

Figure 5: Block disintegration in Hong Kong

(ii) Granular disintegration

Figure 6: Granular disintegration

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Figure 7: Exfoliation caused by thermal expansion and contraction

Figure 8: Exfoliation (peeling)

(b) Pressure release of rocks

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(c) Crystal growth

(d) Biological activity

Figure 15: Summary of Mechanical weathering

(2) Chemical weathering

(a) Four processes of chemical weathering

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Figure 16: Summary of Chemical weathering

(b) Two forms of chemical weathering

Figure 17: Honeycomb weathering in Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan

(ii) Spheroidal weathering

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Figure 18: Spheroidal weathering (p.62)

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Climate Figure 17: The influence of climate on the type of weathering

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Slope materials are under the effect of two sets of forces

Figure 19: Slope Stability responds to the external environment

Classification of Mass movement

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Types of mass movement in Hong Kong

Figure 22: A rockfall (p.65)

(2) Landslides / Slumping

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Figure 23: A landslide (p.65)

Others – Soil creep (slow mass movement)

Figure 24: The Effects of Soil Creep

⬧ Alternate wetting and drying in summer

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Figure 27: Rainsplash effect

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Major factors affecting the rate of erosion

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Physical landscape of Hong Kong shaped by external processes

(2) Deep weathering profiles and tor formation

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Figure 27: The cross-section of the weathering profile of granite (p.70)

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Figure 29: Badlands at Castle Peak (p.70)

(4) Other features

Cracks occur on the rock, where

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Figure 30: Formation of waterfall and plunge pool

(c) From deposition

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