Geomorphology is

the study of
landscapes
Important
factors in the
formation of
landscapes:
• Plate tectonics
• Climate
• Time
• Weathering
• Erosion
• Deposition
In grade 10 we studied the three types
of rock
 Beddingplanes
The junction
between 2
sedimentary
layers
Cap rock
When
sedimentary
rock is
covered by a
layer of
igneous rock
Topography associated with
horizontally layered rocks
(Rock layers are also
called STRATA)
 Processes and characteristics
associated with the development of
Hilly Landscapes Basaltic Plateaus
Both consist of strata of equal resistance
– rock layers that weather at similar rates
Hilly Landscapes Basaltic Plateaus
Hilly
Landscapes
• Occur in humid
areas with lots of
rainfall
• Chemical
weathering causes
rounded rocks
• Deep soils form -
suitable for farming
• E.g. A The Valley of a
thousand Hills in
KZN
Basaltic
Plateaus

• High-lying flat-
topped caps of
basalt with steep
sides produced
by horizontal
flow of lava
• E.g. Drakensberg
Canyon
Landscapes
• The soft rock is
easily removed
by erosion
agents
• The hard rock is
resistant to
erosion
• The canyons
have a step-like
appearance
Grand Canyon
Colorado
Canyon
Landscapes Blyde /Molatse
• A canyon is a
deep steep-sided River Canyon:
valley Mpumalanga
• It is associated
with horizontal
strata of unequal
resistance to
erosion
(alternating hard
and soft rock)
Fish River
Canyon
Namibia
Karoo
Landscapes
• Develop from
Canyon
landscapes
• It is also
associated with
horizontal strata
of unequal
resistance to
erosion
(alternating hard
and soft rock)
 Karoo
Landscapes

• This landscape is
characteristic of
arid (dry) areas
with little rain
• The landforms
are rugged not
rounded
 Karoo
Landscapes

• It starts off as a
plateau

• Rain will find

weak areas and
vertically erode
the plateau into
gorges
Karoo
Landscapes

• The plateau
will be
weathered to
form mesas,
buttes,
pointed
buttes and
conical hills
Karoo
Landscapes

• The process responsible for these

landforms is called scarp retreat
• The slopes retreat parallel to itself
while the height remains the same
• Undercutting of the softer rock
takes place
• See p. 168
Mesa
• A flat-topped
mountain of
which the width is
greater than the
height
• It develops from a
plateau
• It is topped with
resistant cap rock
 Butte
• A flat-topped hill
of which the
height is greater
than the width
• It develops from a
mesa
• It is topped with
resistant cap rock
 Pointed Butte
• A narrow hill with
a sharp peak
• It develops from a
butte
Butte
Mesa

Pediplain
Pointed butte
 Conical Hill
• When a butte's cap rock has been eroded, a
conical hill is left
• It is a rounded hill
• When the entire landscape has been eroded, a
pediplain is left
 Mesa Butte
Conical
hill
Pediplain
 See page 169

Canyons provide
Utilisation beautiful scenery -
of these tourist attraction
landscapes
by people Recreational activities
such as hiking,
climbing, abseiling,

Basaltic plateaus
weather into fertile
soil - farming
 Transport barriers

Canyons are too steep for

Problems farming
for human
activities
Difficult to build roads

Little settlement