Physical Geography CGC1D: Unit 2

Definition Physical Geography examines processes and patterns in the natural environment. e.g. Geomorphology: the study of the various landforms on earth, how they were created and how they are changing. (“geo”-earth, “morph”-to change, “ology”-the study of) Pedology: the study of soils Meterology: the study of weather Climatology: the study of climate

What are they? (discuss in groups) Earth Spheres In the study of physical geography, the “earth system” is divided into several “spheres” (sub-systems). What are they? (discuss in groups)

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

Other Spheres Cryosphere: the Earth’s ice. (glaciers, ice caps, snow) Pedosphere: the Earth’s soil. Anthrosphere: the Earth’s humans -That’s right, we have our own sphere.

The Rock Cycles Igneous Rock Metamorphic Rock Sedimentary Rock Form when magma or lava comes from deep within the earth’s crust, cools and hardens (Ex. Andesite, Basalt Lava, Dacite Lava, Pumice, Obsidian, Rhyolite) Metamorphic Rock Form when a combination of igneous and sedimentary rocks are exposed to extremely high temperatures and lots of pressure (Ex. Quartzite, Marble, Slate, Gneiss, Schist) Sedimentary Rock Form when igneous rock or sediment break down into small particles, and then harden over millions of years forming visible layers (Ex. Sandstone, Siltstone, Shale, Conglomerate, Breccia)

Rock Cycle (4:31mins): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6cCg_Do6k

The Age of the Earth Researchers have studied age of the earth by “dating” (determining the age of) rocks in different parts of the world. Based on this method, it is estimated that the Earth is: 4.6 billion years old. In order to better understand the history of the earth, we divide it into different ‘eras’ using the geological time scale.

Geological Time Scale If all of geological time could be compressed into the height of the Eiffel tower, human history would take as much space as the coat of paint on the very top.

Geological Time Scale If the age of the Earth were portrayed along a human arm (the shoulder as the beginning), the palm is the Paleozoic, the first two digits of the middle finger is the Mesozoic, the last digit of the middle finger is the Cenozoic, and finally, a single pass of a nail file eliminates the history of humans.

Youtube Geologic "Eras", animated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY3MZ_wNFW8 Geologic Time Music Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PQURsc2SYs