UEE Geography key terms

The in-place breakdown of rock by physical, chemical, or biological processes without transporting the broken material away. It prepares rock for erosion and produces regolith and soil.

The downslope transfer of soil and rock under gravity, ranging from slow creep to rapid landslides and rockfalls. Water content and slope angle strongly influence its speed and type.

A cross-section of a river from source to mouth showing how gradient and elevation change downstream. It is typically concave, steep in the upper course and gentle near the mouth.

The lowest elevation to which a river can erode, usually sea level but locally a lake or resistant rock band. Changes in base level trigger rejuvenation or deposition upstream.

The continuous circulation of water between oceans, atmosphere, land, and living things through evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and storage. Its balances control river flow and water supply.

The volume of water passing a river cross-section per unit time, usually measured in cubic metres per second. Discharge rises after rainfall and shapes flood risk and channel form.

A graph showing river discharge over time after a rainfall event, including peak flow, lag time, and recession. Steep, short-lag curves indicate flashy catchments such as urban or impermeable areas.

The downward entry of water from the surface into soil. High infiltration rates reduce surface runoff and soil erosion, while compaction, saturation, or impermeable surfaces increase overland flow.

The upper boundary of the saturated zone in permeable rock or soil, below which all pore spaces are filled with water. Its depth fluctuates with rainfall and abstraction.

A permeable rock or sediment body that stores and transmits groundwater in usable quantities. Sandstone and chalk are common aquifers; clay usually acts as an aquiclude.

The pumping or extraction of water from aquifers for drinking, irrigation, or industry. Over-abstraction can lower the water table, dry springs, and cause land subsidence or saltwater intrusion.

The zone where two lithospheric plates meet, either divergent, convergent, or transform. Each type generates characteristic landforms, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

A convergent boundary where one denser plate descends beneath another into the mantle. It produces deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and powerful earthquakes.

A fixed plume of hot mantle material that melts through the overlying plate, producing volcanoes. As the plate moves, a chain of progressively older volcanic islands can form.

A paired bar chart showing the age and sex structure of a population. Its shape reveals birth rates, life expectancy, migration, and the dependency burden.

A staged model linking falling death rates and later falling birth rates to economic and social development. It explains population growth through stages from high stationary to low stationary.

The number of people outside working age, usually under 15 and over 64, expressed as a proportion of the working-age population. High ratios increase pressure on services and workers.

A population structure with a rising share of older people, caused by low birth rates and longer life expectancy. It raises pension, healthcare, and labour-supply challenges.

Conditions that drive people away from a place, such as conflict or unemployment, and attractions that draw them to another, such as jobs or safety. Together they explain migration decisions.

The permanent or semi-permanent movement of people between places, either internally or across borders. It may be voluntary or forced and reshapes both source and destination areas.

Money sent by migrants back to family in their home area. They can support households and local economies but may create dependence and widen inequality.

The rising proportion of a population living in towns and cities, driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural increase. It changes land use, housing demand, and service provision.

The low-density, outward expansion of built-up areas into surrounding countryside. It increases car dependence, infrastructure costs, and loss of farmland and habitat.

Disagreement between groups with competing claims on the same area, such as housing, farming, recreation, or conservation. Planning and zoning attempt to balance these interests.

The growing interconnection of economies, cultures, and societies through trade, investment, migration, and information flows. It can spread growth and technology while increasing inequality and vulnerability.

A company that operates production, sales, or services in more than one country. It spreads capital and employment but can shift profits and jobs to where costs and regulation are lowest.

The relocation of labour-intensive manufacturing from developed to developing countries seeking lower wages. It reshapes employment patterns and trade in both regions.

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It balances economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

The area of land and water needed to supply a population's resources and absorb its waste. Comparing it with available biocapacity indicates whether demand exceeds local or global limits.

The maximum population or activity level an environment can support indefinitely without degradation. It depends on resource supply, technology, and consumption levels.

The probability of harm from a natural event, combining hazard exposure, vulnerability, and capacity to cope. Risk can be reduced by mitigation and preparedness even where hazards remain.

The likelihood that people or places will suffer damage from a hazard because of exposure, poverty, poor housing, or weak governance. It explains why one event causes unequal losses.

Actions that reduce the impact of natural hazards, such as flood defences, building codes, land-use planning, and early warning. Hard engineering and soft management are often combined.

The ratio between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground, shown as a ratio, word statement, or scale bar. Large-scale maps cover small areas in more detail.

A line on a map joining points of equal height above a datum. Spacing indicates slope steepness, and the pattern reveals valleys, ridges, and cliffs.

A coordinate system using numbered eastings and northings to locate a point on a map. Eastings are read before northings to give a precise position.

Software that stores, analyses, and displays spatially referenced data in layers. It supports overlay, buffering, and site-selection queries for planning and hazard mapping.

Collecting information about the Earth's surface from satellites, aircraft, or drones using sensors. It provides repeated coverage for monitoring land cover, weather, and disasters.

A method for choosing representative field data points, such as random, systematic, or stratified sampling. The choice affects bias and how far results can be generalised.

The planned sequence of hypothesis, site selection, data collection, recording, and analysis in a geographical enquiry. Clear methods allow reliability to be assessed and results repeated.

A measure of how strongly two variables vary together, expressed by a coefficient between minus one and plus one. Correlation does not by itself prove causation.