Chapter 2/3: Physical Geography
Tectonic Plates Tectonic Plates slide and grind past each other to cause landforms and natural disasters
Volcano
Earthquake
Tsunami
Erosion
Mudslide
Things to know about Earth 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, 97% of the water is found in oceans Hurricanes- happen mostly in the Atlantic Ocean, has to be at least 75 mph winds, they usually weaken over land but cause tornadoes (75% in US) & floods. (category 5-highest, 155 mph winds)
Hurricane (again)
Typhoon
Tornadoes
Revolution and Rotation The Earth’s revolution and tilt causes the changing seasons, the tilt effects the temperature The Earth’s rotation causes day and night
Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
Climate Regions Tropical-these are also called the low latitudes (equator to Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn/0 degrees to 23 degrees) Types- tropical wet, tropical wet and dry, semiarid, arid, highland (these are found in Africa, South America and parts of Asia)
Tropical Wet
Arid/Semiarid
Highland
Climate cont. Mid Latitudes-great variety of precipitation and temperature (23 degrees to 66 degrees) Types- humid continental, humid subtropical (SE USA), marine west coast (located near the ocean is mainly damp and foggy), and Mediterranean (also in the US)
Humid Subtropical
Humid Continental
Mediterranean
Marine West Coast
Climate cont. again High Latitudes- below freezing temps frozen soil (66 degrees to 90 degrees a.k.a. the poles) Types- tundra (some plants and bushes), ice cap (no vegetation), sub arctic (really cold)
High Latitudes
Vegetation Regions Vegetation depends on climate (more precip.=more plant life, less precip.= less plant life) Two important Types- Desert (not much plant life, dependant on precipitation- less than 10 in/yr) and Taiga (form a ring of trees around the Artic Circle)
Desert
Taiga
Elements of Climate
Factor Number 1 Elevation
The higher the elevation, the colder the temperature.
Factor Number 2 Latitude Belts
Equator Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Arctic Circle
Equator Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Arctic Circle HIGH LOW HIGH MIDDLE /2 66 1/2
Equator Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Arctic Circle HIGH MIDDLE 90 S 90 N 0 23 ½ N 23 ½ S 66 ½ N 66 ½ S LOW North Pole South Pole
Factor Number 3 Influence of Winds
High mountains located near large bodies of water block the moisture that blows in from the ocean and create a rain shadow on the leeward side of the mountain.
Vocabulary The windward side of the mountain is the side of the mountain that faces the ocean. When the winds blow the moisture in from the ocean, the windward side of the mountains gets the rain. As the air rises to go over the mountain, it cools and loses moisture before it gets over the mountain. The leeward side of the mountain is the side of the mountain that does not face the ocean. It is the arid side of the mountain. This side of the mountain lies in the rain shadow or an area that receives little rain.
Windward side of the Mountain Leeward side of the Mountain Rain Shadow
Mountains Rain shadow Rain is blocked by the mountains Winds blow in from west to east and are blocked by the coastal mountains. The moisture never makes it across the mountains
Winds impact climate around the world. The Monsoons are winds that blow over Asia in the summer and winter. The winter monsoons are dry while the summer monsoons are wet. The people in Asia depend on the arrival of these winds to survive.
Wind Patterns
Factor Number 4 Proximity to Water
Places located near large bodies of water have a relatively mild climate. Water does not heat up or cool down as quickly as the air temperature. The warmer breezes blowing off the water, create a mild climate.
Countries located close to large bodies of warm water have a milder climate. Notice the warm ocean current off the coast of northwest Europe. North Atlantic Drift
Compare the climate of London England with a city in Canada at the same latitude belt. Which region has the mildest climate? Why?