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Themes of Physical Geography
Landforms
Climate
Human
Environment
Interaction
Interaction
I. Landforms and The Forces that Shape our Planet
A. Internal Forces
B. External Forces
C. The Landforms they Create
II. Climate
A. Earth Sun Relationship
B. Factors Affecting Climate
C. World Climate Patterns
III. Human Environment interaction
A. How do we use our Planet?
B. How have we altered our Planet?
C. How have we adapted to our Planet?
Landforms
I. The Forces that Shape our Planet
A. Internal Forces
B. External Forces
C. The Landforms they Create
The Forces that Shape our Planet
Internal Forces of Change
The earth is about
24,900 miles in
circumference .
Although the earth
seems like a solid ball, it
is really more like a
series of shells that float
on one another.
Core – solid metallic
center made of nickel
and iron
Mantle – soft layer of
molten rock (magma)
Crust – thin layer of rock
on earth’s surface
The internal forces that shape the earth’s
surface begin just beneath the crust. Heated
magma moves up toward the crust, cools,
and circulates downward. Riding above this
circulation system are the tectonic plates.
The plates are enormous moving pieces of
the earth’s crust.
Alfred Wegener first presented the theory of
Continental Drift . He claimed that in Earth’s early
existence there was only one body of land, Pangaea.
That supercontinent then slowly split and separated
into the continents we see today.
When plates meet, they may cause folding and cracking of rocks. This fracture in the
earth’s crust is called a fault. It is at the fault line that plates move past each other.
Divergent Boundary Where
plates move apart or
spread, creating rift valleys
or seafloor spreading.
Convergent Boundary
Where plates come together .
Can cause folding or
subduction zones
Transform Boundary
Where plates slide past one
another.
The Ring of Fire, a huge ring of volcanic and seismic
(earthquake) activity, was noticed and described before the
invention of the theory of plate tectonics theory. Today we now
know that the Ring of Fire is located at the borders of the Pacific
Plate and seven other major tectonic plates. It is home to 75% of
the worlds Volcanoes and 90% of the world’s earthquakes.
The Forces that Shape our Planet
External Forces of Change
Weathering refers to the physical
and chemical processes that
change the characteristics or rocks.
Sediment = smaller pieces of rock
Mechanical Weathering is the
process that breaks rock up into
smaller pieces.
Examples: Roots, Ice, Gravity, Human Processes
Chemical Weathering occurs when
rock is changed into a new
substance as a result of interaction
between elements in the air or water
and the minerals in the rock.
Examples: Acid Rain, Oxidation (rusting)
Erosion occurs when weathered material is removed by the action of wind, water, ice, or gravity.
Water Erosion
As water flows in a stream or river, it picks up
loose material and moves it downstream.
The force of a swift flowing river carrying
sediment is enough to carve its way through
rock forming a canyon.
When a river enters the ocean, sediment is
deposited into a fan-like landform called a
delta.
Wave action along coastlines also changes
the land. Waves may build up beaches, or
carry them away.
Wind Erosion
Wind erosion is quite similar to water erosion. The wind transports sediment and deposits it
in other locations. Sand dunes are formed in this manner. The sediment carried in the wind
may impact on solid objects causing erosion by abrasion. This can sculpt rock into columns
and arches.
Glacial Erosion
Glaciation is the changing of landforms by
slowly moving glaciers. A glacier is a large,
long-lasting mass of ice that moves because
of gravity. Glaciers form in mountainous areas
and in regions that are regularly covered with
heavy snowfall and ice.
On top of the glacier or inside it are other
rocks. When the ice melts, these are left
behind. Rocks left behind by a glacier may
form a ridge or a hill.
As a glacier moves it can carve flat plains or
valleys.
Sometimes blocks of ice are trapped in the
sediment. They melt slowly and leave a
depression called a kettle lake.
The Forces that Shape our Planet
The Landforms they Create
Landforms are naturally formed features on the earth’s surface.
Archipelago - a group of many islands
Basin – a depression in the ground
Bay - part of a body of salt water that reaches into the
land; usually smaller than a gulf
Canal - a man-made waterway connecting two bodies of
water, designed to shorten travel time or irrigate
Canyon - narrow valley with steep sides; usually created
by erosion
Cape - a curved or hooked piece of land extending into a
body of water
Channel - a narrow deep waterway connecting two
larger bodies of water; the deepest part of the waterway.
Delta -land built up by deposits of sand and silt at the
mouth of some rivers
Divide -the highest ridge of land separating river basins
Gulf - part of a sea or ocean that reaches into land;
usually larger than a bay
Harbor - a sheltered area of water where ships may
anchor safely
Highland - an area of hills, plateaus, and mountains
Island - an are of land completely surrounded by water
Isthmus - narrow strip of land with water on both sides
connecting two larger pieces of land
Lake - a large body of water surrounded by land
Mesa - a land formation having a relatively flat top and steep
rock walls
Mountain - high, rocky land, usually with steep sides and a
pointed or rounded top, higher than a hill
Mouth (of a river) - place where a river empties into a larger
body of water; the end of a river
Oasis - a fertile place in the desert where there is water and
some vegetation
Ocean - largest body of salt water; these cover 3/4 of the
earth’s surface.
Peninsula - piece of land that extends into a body of water
and is surrounded on three sides by water
Plain - a broad, flat or gently rolling area; usually low in
elevation
Plateau - flat highland area with one steep face; elevated
plain
River - a large stream of water flowing through the land
into a lake, ocean, or other body of water
Sea - a large body of water, usually salt water, partly or
completely surrounded by land
Source (of a river) - the place where a river or stream
begins
Strait - a narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies
of water
Swamp - an area of land that is always soaked with
water; low, wet land that supports grass and trees
Valley - low land between hills or mountains
Volcano - a cone shaped mountain formed out of rock or
ash thrown up from inside the earth, frequently with an
opening or depression at the top
Waterfall - place where running water makes a sheer
drop, usually over a cliff
Topography – Is the combination of the surface,
shape, and composition of the landforms and
their distribution in the region.
Elevation is the distance above sea level. It
answers the question “How high is it?
Relief is the difference in elevation of a landform
from its lowest point to its highest point. It
answers the question “How tall is it?
The highest spot on earth is Mt Everest. The
deepest is Mariana Trench.
Climate
II. Climate
A. The Earth Sun relationship
B. Factors Affecting Climate
C. World Climate Planet
Climate
The Earth Sun Relationship
The earth tilts at a 23.5° angle in relation to the sun. This causes the
changing seasons.
Solstice – longest and
shortest days of the
year (occurs in winter
and summer) June &
December 21
Twice a year on the equinox, the days and nights
all over the world are equal in length. The
equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and
autumn. September & March 21
Climate
Factors Affecting Climate
Weather - the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time.
Climate - weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time.
Weather is the result of several factors. Large
masses of air absorbs and distributes solar energy.
Clouds hold water vapor. Water vapor in the
atmosphere can become precipitation—falling water
droplets in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
Convectional precipitation -occurs in hot moist
climates where the sun quickly heats the air.
Wind and ocean currents help distribute the sun’s heat from one part of the world to
another through convection - the transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of
the air.
Global wind patterns are caused by the same kind of circulation on a larger scale. Hot
air flows toward the poles, and cold air moves toward the equator. At the Equator, winds
are diverted north and south, leaving a generally windless band called the doldrums.
Prevailing winds, global winds that blow in fairly constant patterns. We can predict
weather because of atmospheric patterns like the prevailing winds.
El Niño - A periodic change in the
pattern of mid-Pacific ocean currents
and water temperatures, leading to
worldwide climate alterations.
It has become more frequent and may
be linked to global warming.
Although controversy exists over the
causes of global warming, scientists
agree that air temperatures are
increasing. Some scientists believe
that this warming is part of the
earth’s natural warming and cooling
cycles. Other scientists argue that
global temperature increases are
caused by the greenhouse effect.
This means that humans may also
be a factor of climate.
Latitude plays a big role in climate.
Geographers divide the earth into three
general zones of latitude: low or tropical,
middle or temperate, and high or polar. The
earth’s two temperate zones lie at the
middle latitudes, between the tropics and
the polar regions. Within the temperate
zones, climates can vary greatly, ranging
from relatively hot to relatively cold.
Another factor in determining a region’s climate is
altitude (distance above sea level). As altitude
increases, the air temperature drops about 3.5°F
for every 1,000 feet of height.
Landforms also affect climate. This is especially
true of mountain areas. As winds move
up the side of a mountain, they cool and release
moisture as rain or snow, on the windward side of
the mountain. The winds that reach the other side
of the mountain are dry and become warmer as
they descend. The drier side is known as the
leeward side.
Orographic precipitation falls on the
windward side of hills or mountains that
block moist air and force it upward.
Climate
World Climate Patterns
The two most significant factors in defining different climates are temperature
and precipitation.
The most common method of describing climate patterns uses latitude to help
define the climate. There are five general climate regions: tropical, dry, midlatitude, high latitude, and highland.
Tropical Wet – (ex. Hawaii) little
variation, always hot, rain is spread out
evenly
Tropical Wet & Dry – (ex. Serengeti)
rainy season in the summer & dry
season in the winter
Steppe/Semiarid – (ex. Great Plains)
receives little moisture, found around
desert or interior of continents.
Desert – (ex. Sahara Desert) receive
less than 10 inches of rain per year
Mediterranean – (ex. S. California)
summers dry & hot, winters cool & rainy
Marine West Coast – (ex Seattle) cloudy, foggy, & damp, rain is spread out evenly during the
year, found near the coast.
Humid Subtropical – (ex Houston) long hot & humid summers, cool & mild winters, often subject
to hurricanes in the late summer and fall.
Humid Continental – (ex New England) experiences all four seasons, great variety in
precipitation & temperature
Subarctic – (ex. Anchorage) long & cold winters, cool & short summers, evergreen forest cover
the land
Tundra – (N. Russia) flat & treeless, cold temperatures, little precipitation
Ice Cap – (ex. Antarctica) snow ice & permanently freezing temperatures, Often called polar
desert receives less than 10 inches of precipitation per year
Highlands – (ex Himalayas) varies with latitude, elevation, topography and continental location
Vegetation patterns are based on large-scale ecosystems.
Forest regions are categorized by the types of
trees they support. The trees may be broadleaf
or needle leaf. Broadleaf trees are also called
Deciduous. The rain forest is covered with a
heavy concentration of broadleaf trees. In the
Deciduous region, leaves fall at least once
during the year. Sometimes deciduous trees
are mixed with needle leaf trees. Needle leaf
trees also called Coniferous trees because they
bear cones.
Grasslands are mostly flat regions dotted with a few trees. They are called by different names
around the world.
The plants that live in the desert and tundra climate regions are specially adapted to tolerate the dry
or cold conditions.
The impact of humans on soil and vegetation is immense. Human beings have adapted to the land
by changing their lifestyles. Sometimes they change the land to meet their needs. This includes
building dams or irrigation systems, planting food crops, or slashing and burning the vegetation.
Human Environment
Interaction
III. Human Environment Interaction
A. How do we use our Planet?
B. How have we altered our planet?
C. How have we adapted to our Planet?
How do we use our Planet?
The Solar System consists of the sun and
eight known planets, as well as other
celestial bodies that orbit the sun. The
celestial bodies include moons, asteroids,
and dwarf planets.
The Earth is the third planet from the sun.
Only earth has liquid water and can support
a variety of life.
All life and material on Earth exists in
one of our planet’s four Geospheres.
Atmosphere – layer of gases
surrounding the earth.
Lithosphere – the solid rock
portion of the earth’s surface.
Some of the Lithosphere is
below water and forms the
ocean floor. The huge
landmasses above water on the
earth are called continents.
There are seven total.
Hydrosphere – the water
elements on earth. Oceans,
seas, rivers, lakes, and the
water in the atmosphere make
up the Hydrosphere.
Ecosphere – the part of the
earth where plants and animals
live.
Humans use the Earth resources for survival. One
unique resource that is key to survival is water.
The ocean is an interconnected body of salt water
that covers about 71 percent of our planet. The
four oceans are the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and
the Arctic Ocean. The salty water of the ocean
circulates through three basic motions: currents,
waves, and tides.
The motion of the ocean helps distribute heat on
the planet. Winds blow over the ocean and are
heated or cooled by the water. When the winds
blow across the land, they change the
temperature of the air over the land.
The hydrologic cycle is the continuous circulation
of water between the atmosphere, the oceans,
and the earth. Water evaporates into the
atmosphere. The water in the atmosphere exists
as vapor. When the vapor cools, it condenses.
Water vapor in the atmosphere can become
precipitation, falling water droplets, in the form of
rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
97% of the worlds water is found in oceans. This water is too salty for drinking
and farming.
2% of the world’s water supply is fresh but frozen in glaciers and ice caps. This
leaves only another 0.5% is under the earth’s surface (Groundwater). Aquifers are
underground layers of porous rock that is saturated with water and acts like and
underground stream.
Less than 1% in the world’s water is found rivers, lakes, and streams. Even
thought very little water is found here they are very important to survival,
agriculture, and transportation.
How do we alter our Planet?
Humans must use their environment
to survive. Altering the environment
has made survival easier for human.
Humans are capable of flattening
mountains, creating islands, and
changing the direction of rivers.
Not all human alteration have been
positive. We have caused
deforestation, over farmed the land,
and polluted the environment.
How do we adapt to our Planet?
Humans cannot change everything about the Earth’s Landscape and Climate
and must adapt to the conditions.
The Earth is constantly changing and there are many forces humans are unable to
control like climate the changes caused by tectonic movement.
An Earthquake is the violent movement of
the earth produced when tectonic plates
grind or slip past each other. Damages can
be great at the Epicenter (The location on
the earth’s surface directly above where an
earthquake originates) and earthquakes
can trigger of disasters like Tsunami (A
giant wave in the ocean caused by an
earthquake).
We cannot control or prevent an earth
quake but we can monitor tectonic activity
and prepare.
Seismograph – A device that measures the
size of waves created by an earthquake.
Richter Scale – Scale that uses
seismograph results to determine the force
of an earthquake.
Humans are unable to control extreme forms of weather but they can adapt to
them. Think of ways in which humans adapt to the following climatic conditions.
Droughts
Blizzards
Tropical Storms
Are humans using, altering or
adapting to their environment
in these pictures?