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 CircleHIGH

LOW

HIGH

MIDDLE

MIDDLE

90

90

0

23 1/2

23 1/2

66 1/2

66 1/2

Equator

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Capricorn

Antarctic Circle

Arctic Circle

HIGH

HIGH

MIDDLE

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

http://gis.binghamton.edu/GIS%20Sites.htm

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

http://www.mrdowling.com/612monsoons.gif

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?