Geographic Changes

Assessment page 1.What caused the change to occur? 2.What was the geographic change? 3.Explain the impact of the change

North Africa The Sahara Desert in North Africa is a modern example of geographic changes. Many historians believe that at one time North Africa was fertile land. However, due to global warming, the area gradually became drier. Today, because of over grazing and drought the desert is continuing to expand.

Siberian- Alaskan Land Bridge About 11,500 years ago, a land bridge connected Siberia and Alaska. However, as Earth became warmer, glaciers melted which caused sea levels to rise and cover the land bridge. Eventually, Alaska and Siberia were no longer connected.

Pangaea Many scientists believe that several or even all of the continents used to be connected as one large landmass. They also believe that over time as the plates moved through plate tectonics that the continents began to slowly move apart. Eventually, the continents became located where they are today.

Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is a national phenomenon that millions of people have visited. This canyon, however, has not always been in existence. Scientists believe that erosion and wreathing over millions of years caused this enormous canyon to form.

Tsunami in Japan In 2011, plate movement in the Pacific Ocean caused a giant wave, called a tsunami. The tsunami hit the northern portion of Japan. Causing devastating loss in both life and property. The Japanese people are still cleaning up damage and recovering from this natural disaster.

On the back of your paper On the back of your paper research and summarize 2-3 geographic changes that have occurred in history.

Drought, global warming and overgrazing Desertification of Sahara Desert The desert is growing and people are forced to migrate southward. Siberian- Alaskan land bridge covered by water. The massive continent of Pangaea began to separate. Massive canyon in Arizona, United States. Giant tsunami hit the shore of Japan in Examples of Geographic change.NAME__________________________