Intro to Physical Geography and Climate

The Physical Earth Lithosphere – Earth’s crust and solid upper mantle. Hydrosphere – Water (70% of the Earth’s surface) Atmosphere – Envelope of gases Biosphere – refers to all life on Earth

Lithosphere Broken up into tectonic plates The movement of these plates shapes the Earth’s surface.

Hydrosphere > 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water 97% of this water is in the oceans Most of the remaining 3% is frozen in the polar ice caps. Less than 1% is found in the Atmosphere, ground water, lakes or streams

The Water Cycle

Currents Ocean currents occur at the surface and below @ the Equator the Earth’s rotation pushes surface water toward the west – sets in motion large circular surface currents Water heated by the sun moves toward the poles The Gulf Stream carries warm water towards Great Britain making it warmer than it normally would be Under the surface, cold water sinks, then slowly moves toward the Equator, pushing warmer water away This water slowly absorbs heat Circulation takes hundreds of years

The Atmosphere The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth Absorbs solar radiation Moderates temperature Distributes water