Transcript The Lowlands

page 138: #s 2, 5, 6, 7
2b) Why are the ancient coral reefs of the Interior Plains important
today?
The ancient coral reefs
of the Interior Plains are
important today because
they are the site of
significant oil & gas
deposits, which are
buried thousands of
metres below the surface
of the land today.
5) What separates the Great Lakes Lowlands from the St. Lawrence
Lowlands? Where does this occur and what is the appearance of this
lowlands region? (4 marks)
The Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence
Lowlands are separated by a thin slice of
the Canadian Shield which extends across
the St. Lawrence river near Kingston. The
extension of rock in this area is known as
the Frontenac Axis
 The landscape of the area is one of
rolling hills, deep river valleys and flat
plains.
6) Copy the paragraph and insert the correct term.
To the south of the Canadian Shield is the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowlands.
Like the Interior Plains, the lowlands are underlain by
sedimentary rock.
The St. Lawrence Lowlands were created when land
between two faults collapsed creating a rift valley.
The landscape of the Great Lakes Lowlands is largely the
result of erosion.
The Great Lakes were carved out by glaciers.
The Niagara escarpment is the single biggest feature of
the lowlands.
7a) Describe the characteristics of the Hudson bay Lowlands
and Arctic Lowlands.
Characteristics of the
Hudson Bay Lowlands
include:
- a flat low area covered by
swampy forests
-sedimentary rock that
rests on top of the ancient
rock of the shield.
Characteristics of the
Arctic Lowlands include:
- a series of islands in the
far north that have a gently
rolling landscape
- ground that remains
frozen for most of the year.
Page 143 questions 2, 3, 4, 6
#2 ) Why does the Appalachian region have many excellent
harbours?
 During the last ice age the weight of the continental
glaciers pushed the crust of the earth downwards.
 When the ice melted, the ocean was able to move up the
river valleys creating a flooded coastline
 This caused the river beds to be much deeper under water
than expected.
 The result is that cities such as Halifax have very deep
harbours which make them important centres for large
ocean going ships.
http://images.marinas.com/med_res_id/107570
How ice weighs down the earth’s crust
#3a) Describe the composition and appearance of the Innuitian
Mountians.
 The Innuitian Mountains have been described as icy
watchtowers in Canada’s north.
 The have the same composition (mostly sedimentary &
some metamorphic rock) as the Appalachians.
 Because they are younger they have higher (2500 m) and
sharper peaks since they have not been eroded as much.
 They are mostly ice covered and barren since the climate is
so cold and the growing season so short.
#4a) How were the fiords of British Columbia created?
 During the last ice age alpine
glaciers occupied the river
valleys leading out to the sea.
 The glaciers eroded the
bottom of these valleys until
they were deeper than today’s
sea level.
 When the glaciers melted, the
ocean flooded the valleys
creating steep sided fiords.
#6) Which mountains are older ? How can you tell?
The Western Cordillera (left) are youngest
They have a sharper more jagged
appearance since they have had less time
for erosional forces to work.
The Appalachian Mountains (left) are oldest.
They have a more rounded shape and have been
more eroded.
A second indicator is the general height of
each mountain range. The lower the height
the longer period of erosion
The Innuitian Mountains (left) are middleaged (like me!) and so are higher but not
as jagged.
Physical region
Resource and Product
Interior Plains
1.
2.
3.
4.
Oil and gas deposits are found in ancient coral reefs.
Deep fertile soils which are ideal for farming wheat, canola, and flax.
Large fresh water lakes for recreation and food (fishing and hunting).
Where it is too dry, beef cattle are raised.
Gr Lakes – St
Lawrence Lowlands
1.
2.
3.
The Great Lakes are huge freshwater lakes on which fishing, recreation,
industry, and for transportation.
Flat land is ideal for the growth of cities and industries.
Farm land because it is flat and warm.
Hudson Bay and Arctic
Lowlands
1.
2.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Sand, silt and clay which are important building materials.
Appalachian
Mountains
1.
2.
3.
Coal can be found throughout
Zinc and iron in the highlands
Deep ocean coastal areas which are good for harbours.
Innuitian Mountains
1.
Similar to Appalachian Mountains but not exploited because of cost.
Western Cordillera
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Beautiful scenery attracts many tourists.
Farming in the interior plateau
Mining towns in the interior plateau
Fishing along the pacific coastline
Mountains are ideal for recreation