The importance of geological structure on how landscapes develop is a key concept in geology. Rock type has a big influence on the nature and speed of change at the surface of the earth. The meeting between atmosphere and lithosphere takes place on the surface of the earth. It is at this interface (the earth's surface) where the two huge systems of atmosphere and lithosphere interact.
The following list introduces you to some of the key features of Hong Kong's landforms:
- There is a strong volcanic and igneous history behind many of Hong Kong's landforms. What does igneous mean? An igneous rock is a rock that has solidified from molten or partly-molten
material (magma). Magma is rock that melted. Beneath the earth's crust is magma or molten rock. Magma contains suspended crystals and dissolved gases, formed by total or partial meeting of
solid crustal or mantle rocks (Kearey 1996).
Granite contains quartz. This is resistant to weathering, but granite also contains more soluble (easily weathered) material such as potassium feldspar and micas. Thus granite can crumble, especially at its joints.
Video activity 2
You can find out more about Hong Kong's volcanic and igneous history by watching the following two clips:
History 1:
History 2:
- Over 80% of the bedrock (rock below the surface) in Hong Kong is either granitic or volcanic. Does the map from the CEDD you used in the earlier activity confirm this? Go back and take a look.
- Sedimentary rocks are located in the northeast New Territories (again, check this claim against the geological map from the CEDD).
Video activity 3
You can find out more about Hong Kong's sedimentary rocks by watching the following clip:
- Water is of outstanding importance in the story of Hong Kong's landform evolution. Water penetration (movement) into rock depends on geochemical features.
- Time and the dynamics of the earth's crust are two other outstandingly important factors in the story of Hong Kong's landform evolution.
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