Download Wisconsin`s Landforms

UNIT #1
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
UNIT #1
Chapter
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
Page 1
Glaciers
-Nearly 3/4 of Wisconsin was glaciated
(covered by glaciers) until around
10,000 BCE
-As the ice sheets moved they pushed and
collected rock and soil
-As the earth’s temperature increased
glaciers began melting, leaving behind
glacial drift (soil and rock that had been
trapped in the ice)
-This reshaped Wisconsin’s surface and
transformed the contents of the soil
-The portion of the state, not glaciated-the
Driftless Area, has rock formations not
smoothed by the glacial drift
UNIT
#1
Chapter
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
Page 2
Effects of Glaciers
-The northern and eastern halves of
Wisconsin were glaciated
-These areas have abundant lakes and a
lack of rock formations
UNIT
#1
Chapter
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
Page 3
UNIT
#1
Chapter
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
Page 4
Physical Regions of Wisconsin
-Wisconsin’s regions are based on elevation
and bedrock type, which dictates how
rivers run and land drains
1. Lake Superior Lowlands
-Slopes toward Lake Superior
-Rivers cut deep lowlands in hills
-Fertile soil
-Long growing season near lake
2. Northern Highlands
-Gently rolling landscape
-Landscape is higher in the middle of
the region
-Contains iron and copper ore
UNIT
#1
Chapter
Geography
NOTES
Wisconsin’s
Landforms
Page 5
Continued…
3. Central Plains
-Extremely flat in the west
-Stony hills and glacier-made kettles
(low spots) in the east
-Sandy soils limit crop species
4. Eastern Ridges and Lowlands
-Glacial deposits create the richest soil
-Mild climate and long growing season
-Many rivers
5. Western Upland
-Few lakes
-Fertile valleys and rock overhangs
-Large deposits of lead and zinc