Landscapes and NY State

Major Points:Landscape characteristics are the result of

the interaction of forces of crustal movement, people, and climate

Underlying bedrock determines the landscapes- why?

Three types: Mountains(Highlands), Plateaus(Uplands), and Plains(Lowlands)

What forms landscapes?Uplifting forces/Constructive-mountain

building, continental accretion (converging plates, island arcs)

Leveling forces/Destructive-weathering,erosion,depostion cycle

If forces are in balance then…Landscape is in equilibrium (shows no

change)This rarely happens because one force is

usually dominant over the otherWhat force is dominant in Westchester?

Climate and LandscapeIf dry -ARID-overall effect is jagged, angular

and dry lookingIf wet- HUMID-rolling, lowslope, grassy

Old vs. New LandscapeOId-gentle rolling hills, wornaway, oxbow

lakes etc…New-Jagged mountains, more angular, steep

slopes

Cliffs or escarpments:Cliffs result from rock that varies in rock

resistance (resistant rock juts out in a series of rock layers due to its composition- it resists weathering…

Drainage Patterns

Flat Land

Onplateaus

Plateau or plains

MountainsVolcanos

Dome mountainWith upturned layers

NY Watersheds:Watershed-geographic area that drains into a

stream (land around a stream)