3. Rocks and weathering
3.1 Plate tectonics
Nature of tectonic plates and their global patterns.
Types of plate boundaries: divergent (constructive), conservative and convergent (destructive).
Processes and associated landforms: sea floor spreading, subduction, fold mountain building, ocean ridges, ocean trenches, and volcanic island arcs.
3.2 Weathering
Physical (mechanical) weathering processes: freeze-thaw, heating/cooling, salt crystal growth, pressure release (dilatation), and vegetation root action.
Chemical weathering processes: hydrolysis, hydration, and carbonation.
General factors affecting the type and rate of weathering: climate, rock type, rock structure, vegetation, and relief.
Specific factors affecting the type and rate of weathering: temperature and rainfall (Peltier diagram).
3.3 Slope processes
Slope processes, conditions under which each occurs and effects on slopes.
Mass movement: heaves, flows, slides, and falls.
Water and sediment movement on slopes: rainsplash and surface runoff (sheetwash and rills).
3.4 The human impact
The impact of human activities on the stability of slopes: increasing stability and decreasing stability.
Strategies to modify slopes to reduce mass movements: pinning, netting, grading and afforestation.
Case study: candidates must study the impacts of human activity on slopes showing the effect on the stability of the slope, and evaluate attempts to reduce mass movement
Full section overview on this single webpage - curated for a bigger specification, but well worth bookmarking
3.1 Plate tectonics
3.2 Weathering
3.1 Plate tectonics
3.2 Weathering
3.3 Slope processes
3.4 The human impact