Kondoa and Lake Victoria are two areas which illustrate of the following processes: water and wind erosion, pressure release (tectonic activity), basal weathering, and hydrologic cycle.
Kondoa, Dodoma Region, Tanzania
Looking at the picture this form shows soil erosion. Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process on all land. The agents of soil erosion are water and wind, each contributing a significant amount of soil loss each year. When the water impacts the soil surface, it breaks down and the materials disperse. In this picture it clearly shows where the land was previously and where it is now, indicating that erosion has occurred over the years. Kondoa is characteristically associated with grasslands, the steppes and semi-deserts. Here we see evidence of Calcification, is a pedogenic regime of climates in which evaporation on the average exceeds precipitation, revealing thick roots of perennial grasses and a more drier look.
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Lake Victoria, Tanzania
Hydrologic Cycle:
Lake Victoria is the largest lake on the Continent of Africa, fifty-one percent of it shoreline and volume within Tanzania. This Lake is believed to have been created by the upheavals on the western side of the Victorian Basin. This dam of crustal rock blocked westward flowing rivers which caused the rivers to flow backwards away from the basin. After this process the lake is resulted as being shallow 250 miles long and 200 miles wide with 3,440 feet of shore line. With limited river inflow, Lake Victoria is dependent on the hydrologic cycle, which replenishes its waters.
Lake Victoria is the largest lake on the Continent of Africa, fifty-one percent of it shoreline and volume within Tanzania. This Lake is believed to have been created by the upheavals on the western side of the Victorian Basin. This dam of crustal rock blocked westward flowing rivers which caused the rivers to flow backwards away from the basin. After this process the lake is resulted as being shallow 250 miles long and 200 miles wide with 3,440 feet of shore line. With limited river inflow, Lake Victoria is dependent on the hydrologic cycle, which replenishes its waters.
Cycle Picture:
Tanzania is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, making that ocean the primary source for its water. The water evaporates from the Indian Ocean it rises quickly into the atmosphere and condenses. The condensed water becomes clouds and is carried by wind inland. The clouds produce rain which maintains the lake's level, fills rivers which flow back to the ocean. The cycle repeats itself and the water levels are maintained.
Basal Weathering/Water & Wind Erosion:
Yes, we as people will see the beauty of nature in this photograph, but we looked at is as geographers. The effects of erosion can be seen in the rock formation. The outcrop of boulders appear to be smooth. Natural weathering from rain and wind are the major contributors to the resulting form of the boulders. Upon close examination, we would undoubtedly see basal weathering, the erosion of the rock at its base and on the rock outcrop. These rock formations are prevalent in the lake as are islands of varying sizes. The islands also are likely created from the high basal friction and compression in the plate tectonics associated with the creation of the lake.
Conclusion:
Lake Victoria is critical to the socio-economic structure of the region. Not only is revenue generated by tourism and resident vacationers, the lake and its basin have many natural resources which have industrial and commercial application. There is gold mining, fisheries and coffee and cotton production. It is a major water source for domestic, industrial and commercial enterprises. Geography can be changed by man as well as nature. There are indications that man is changing the lake's geography and not in a positive manner. The people must insure that the costs of changing what nature has given them do not out weigh the benefits.
