PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

AGENDA About Physical Geography Earth Spheres Geologic History

YOU’RE STUDYING WHAT NOW? Physical Geography examines processes and patterns in the natural environment. Geology studies of the Earth’s physical structure. Geomorphology studies various landforms, h0w they were created, and how they are changing. (geo = Earth, morph = change, ology = study of) Some Related Fields of Study: Pedology: the study of soil Meteorology: the study of weather Climatology: the study of climate

More sphere info here: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/ESS/ESSspheres.html BREAK IT DOWN… The study of the physical geography of Earth is divided into four main categories called “spheres”. What do you think they are? Discuss! More sphere info here: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/ESS/ESSspheres.html

LITHOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE BIOSPHERE

EARTH SPHERES Lithosphere: The Earth’s landmass (non-living). (mountains, deserts, prairies, volcanoes) Hydrosphere: The Earth’s water system. (rivers, lakes, oceans, seas) Atmosphere: The air surrounding the Earth. (atmospheric layers: e.g. troposphere, stratosphere) Biosphere: The living organisms on Earth. (animals, plants, fungus, etc.)

OTHER COMMON SPHERES What do they mean? Cryosphere: Anthrosphere: All of the Earth’s ice. Glaciers, ice caps, snow, etc. Technically part of which sphere? Anthrosphere: All of the Earth’s humans! Yes, we have our own sphere.

GEOLOGIC HISTORY Just a quick 4.6 billion years in the making!

GEOLOGIC HISTORY Earth’s physical landscape is shaped by conflict between forces that build the land higher and those that wear it down. The Geologic Timeline: The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old. The geologic history of Earth is divided into 4 time periods called eras. Each era represents a time of massive physical change. The eras are: Pre-Cambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic

The Mesozoic era was the “time of the dinosaurs” Their extinction marked the end of the Mesozoic and beginning of the Cenozoic.

THROUGH THE ERAS… Precambrian Era 4.6 billion until approximately 600 million years ago 4.6b – Earth formed. Magma, volcanoes, meteors 3.4b – water world, granite continents, shifting landmass Canadian Shield forms here. 2b – Life! First single-celled organisms: stromatolites. 1b – First supercontinent! (Rodinia) 700m – “Snowball Earth” extinction event (ELE #1). 650 – ends as Earth thaws and Rodinia breaks up…

THROUGH THE ERAS… Paleozoic Era 570 million until approximately 245 million years ago 500m – oxygen production higher, ozone layer forms 300m – Precambrian Explosion! (swampland, life, etc.) Fossil fuels originate here. 250m – magma plume, massive volcanic activity results in the Permian Extinction (ELE #2). Canada Note: Appalachian Mountains formed at this time.

THROUGH THE ERAS… Mesozoic Era 245 million until approximately 66 million years ago 225m – second supercontinent forms: Pangaea Prairies and other lowlands originate here. Rocky Mountains begin to rise. Age of the dinosaurs! Ends with meteorite hitting earth and more intense volcanic activity (ELE #3).

THROUGH THE ERAS… Cenozoic Era 66 million years ago through today… Mammals and humans appear Canada is in its familiar place/shape! Several ice ages take place. Last ice age ends about 11,000 years ago 11,000 – present: modern humans! Ends with zombie apocalypse E.L.E.?

Or more likely, this happens… TODAY