Surface Processes, Landforms, and Soils
one-way Exclusions
Two 1.5 hour lectures & 3 practical hours per week
Course text
- Trenhaile (2016), 6th Edition. Geomorphology, Oxford University Press, Toronto, 575 p. The fifth and fourth editions of this text are also acceptable.
Supplementary Readings
- Rocks, Weathering and Soils sections
- Strahler Archibold. Physical Geography 5th ed, Can. Vers. John Wiley & Sons: Chapter 11 p 259-277, Chapter 19:Soils p.461-489
- Summerfield (1991) Geomorphology, Prentice-Hall: Chapter 6
- Volcanic and Tectonic Processes and Landforms
- Summerfield (1991) Geomorphology, Prentice-Hall: Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. This textbook contains excellent examples of volcanic and tectonic landforms and processes
Please note that course information listed in the Arts and Science Course Calendar supersedes any information listed on the Geography and Planning website.
For the most current course offerings, registered Queen’s students should consult .
Course Description
Explores the structure of, and physical processes responsible for the development of landforms and soils. Understanding these systems is directly relevant to environmental planning, hazard and risk assessment, geology, and surface processes on other planets. Topics include weathering, volcanic, tectonic, mass wasting, glacial, and fluvial processes. NOTE Field Trip: estimated cost $25.
Course Overview
Surface Processes and Landforms involves the study of aspects of geomorphology, weathering processes, and soil formation (pedology). Geomorphology is the study of the materials, forces and processes that shape the earth's surface, and generate landforms. Earth surface materials (minerals and rocks) are derived at depth in the earth's crust, with structures resulting from tectonic activity, volcanism or sedimentation/burial. Surface materials may then be broken down further and/or rearranged by weathering, gravity and fluid media driven by solar and gravitational energy. Pedology involves the study of the development, composition, and structure of soils, that result from the break down of rocks at the surface by weathering.
Students are introduced to the chemical and physical nature of the rocks and minerals that makeup the earth’s surface, and the variety of processes that govern the movement, deposition, shaping, and breakdown of these materials. The labs are designed to enhance the students’ ability to characterize rocks, soils and sediment, and identify landforms using aerial photographs and topographic maps, and to interpret and analyse the processes responsible for the different landforms. These assignments provide students an opportunity to enhance their technical, numerical, and writing skills; and require the use of spreadsheets, word processing and problem solving skills.
Course Topics
- Geomorphic concepts, processes, systems
- Chemical and physical weathering processes
- Soil forming processes and soil orders of the Canadian Soil Classification System
- Tectonic and volcanic processes and landforms
- Mass wasting processes and landforms
- Fluvial processes and landforms
- Glacial processes and landforms.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and explain the relevance of geomorphology and pedology as it applies the environment, earth sciences, climate and planning.
- Explain and categorize the geomorphological agents/forces and processes that shape the earth’s surface. Emphasis will be placed on weathering, pedogenic (soil forming), tectonic, volcanic, mass wasting, glacial, and fluvial processes.
- Recognize landforms, soil orders, and sediment structures and explain the processes and forces that created them.
- Apply the use of air photos, maps, and remote sensing imagery (e.g., Google Earth), to identify earth surface features and infer their processes of formation.
Assessments
Subject to Change
- Quizzes (2 + In-Class Review): 30%
- Practice Assignments (4): 40%
- Exam: 30%