...rational description and interpretation of the variable character of the earth surface." - Richard Hartshorne, 1959 Geography is divided into two main branches: human geography and physical geography. Physical geography (or physiography) focuses on geography as an Earth science. It aims to understand the physical problems and issues of : lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere, and global flora and fauna patterns (biosphere). Physical geography can be divided into many following categories, including: | | | | Ecology | Climatology & Meteorology | Pedology | Hydrology & Hydrography | | | | | | Geomorphology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Physical geography, or geomorphology, is the study of the shape and composition of the upper surface of the earth (Fairbridge 1968, McIntyre 1991). Geomorphology encompasses earth processes such as changes in sea level, erosion, formation of rivers and flood plains, coastal dynamics of wind, water, and sediments, and island formation, as well as other processes. Geography is fundamental to the study of tourism, because tourism is geographical in nature. Tourism occurs in places, it involves movement and activities between places and it is an activity in which both place characteristics and personal self-identities are formed, through the relationships that are created among places, landscapes and people. Physical geography provides the essential background,...
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...Coastal Geomorphology Title: To identify and describe the main coastal erosional and depositional landforms produced by wave action observe at Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Cove and Blowing Point along the coastline at Robin’s Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica Name: School: School Center: 100107 Teacher: Year of Examination: 2016 Due Date: Table of Content Title Page Aim of Study………………………………………… Location of Study …………………………………… Method of Data Collection…………………………... Presentation and Explanation of Data……………….. Analysis and Discussion of Data…………………….. Conclusion…………………………………………… Bibliography…………………………………………. Aim of Study The aims of the study were to: * Describe the main coastal erosion and depositional landforms produced by wave action or processes at Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Cove, Blowing Point along the coastline of Robin’s Bay in St. Mary, Jamaica * To study the effects of constructive and destructive wave processes on coastal landforms development * To determine the influence of the local rock and structure on the development of coastal...
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...The Colorado River is the major water route in the Southwest, a region that is drier than the deserts of North Africa. In recent years, a once “inhospitable desert has become a playground, and the Colorado River has become a plumbing system” (Colorado River Report, 2001). This statement means that people have made so many changes to the natural environment around the Colorado River bed that the area no longer resembles the original habitat of the area. These changes have affected the animal life as well as the natural environment of the area. Another change in the environment is a change in the river itself as it now serves as a plumbing system. These changes are relating to the ways that people have changed the habitat around the river. The more people that use and change the land, the more the river changes. The Colorado Task Force identified a number of problems. In response to the changes in the Colorado River, the Sierra Club created the Colorado River Task Force to identify and solve problems associated with overdevelopment as well as over-usage of the river area. One problem is to restore the Colorado River delta (Colorado River Report, 2001). The delta is home to many endangered species. Part of the restoration process is to stop dumping hazardous chemicals into the Delta (Colorado River Report, 2001).Another problem is the water quality in the Colorado River basins. The total maximum daily loads wanted to provide the states to recognize the need for some portion of...
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...1.0 Introduction Soil erosion has been accelerated in many areas of the world especially Australia. It becomes a biggest problem in Australia which leads Australians have to confront it. Soil erosion means the removal or disappearance of soil by water or wind. It may due to the poor cultivation, overgrazing and stripping of the land. Today, soil erosion is one of the most critical environmental problems in Australia which threatening farmlands, streams and village. This report below is concentrate on the types, causes and preventing of soil erosion. 2.0 Types of soil erosion There have various types of soil erosion but the two major types of soil erosion that often occur in Australia which is water erosion and wind erosion. 2.1 Water erosion Water erosion is the most widespread erosion in Australia. There have several types of water erosion which is sheet, rill and gully erosion. Firstly, Raindrop can be a main problem for farmers when they strike bare soil. Rain can washes away seed and splashes soil into the air. If the fields are on a slope the soil is splashed downhill which causes deterioration of soil structure (Sydenham & Thomas, 2008). Hence, soil that has been separated by raindrops is more easily moved than soil that has not been separated. Sheet erosion is caused by raindrops whereas rill erosion and gully erosion caused by rainfall. Sheet erosion is defined as the uniform removal of soil in thin layers from sloping land. When rains run off the slope, without...
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...Gertrude Obeng Geology Geology and National Parks Final 11/27/2013 PART 1 Weathering is the gradual destruction of rock when it comes to certain surface donitions, it can occur with a physical process as well as chemically and of course living things can and will weather as well. The breakdown of minerals can and will vary from surface to surface and depending on the type of weathering that’s happening, it can either have a tiny effect over a long period of time or a major effect over a short and long period of time. It’s known to loosen and alter material and transform minerals and material into a whole different landform. Then we have erosion which is the breakdown and movement of a planet’s urface by the action of gravity, running water, waves, currents, ice and wind, this too also gradually wears away landforms. Which makes weathering and erosion completely two different things but also one in the same. The major importance of both weather and erosion when speaking about flat landforms is the fact that these two occurrences had probably created that flat landform. We are able to experience and have the pleasure of having mountains, slopes, and different shaped landforms because of weathering and erosion. National Parks like Nevada’s Great Basin are prime examples of what weathering and erosion can create over time. The basin is home to many landforms and mountains that have been narrowed and shaped by running water, different types of weathering like snow, hail...
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...This document of GLG 220 Week 3 Discussion Questions shows the Solutions to the following problems: DQ 1: Answer in 200-300 word count. Choose one question below and title your answer with Reply. 1. Describe the hydrologic cycle. How does this cycle affect the earth? 2. What is the potential danger due to mass wasting in your state or region? What is the effort spent to minimize the impact of mass wasting? 3. What is the impact of soil erosion on farmland? What are the tools that could be utilized to minimize the loss of farmland to soil erosion? DQ 2: Answer in 200-300 word count. Choose one question below and title your answer with Reply. 256 1. Based on your reading, do you believe that we are in a period of glacial or interglacial stage? Why or why not? What are the current factors that might cause the acceleration of one stage over the other? 2. One philosophy about pollution of water is that water can always be cleaned (e.g. by the use of distillation). Is this a viable solution? Why or why not? 3. What are the different sources of water in the United States? Which source of water is mostly used in your region? How could we protect the sources of our water from drying up and contamination? General Questions - General General Questions Resource: Ch. 9 of Geoscience Laboratory Complete University of Phoenix Material: Week Two Earthquakes Lab Report and University of Phoenix Material: Week Two Lab Report Worksheet by answering the following questions in Ch...
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...1) A drainage basin is the area surrounding a river where the rain falling on the land flows into that river. The boundary of a drainage basin is the watershed, where any precipitation falling beyond the watershed enters a different drainage basin. 2) Inputs; Precipitation // Outputs; Transpiration, Evaporation, River Discharge, Evapo-transpiration 3) Interception is when some precipitation lands on vegetation or other structures such as buildings, concrete and tarmac surfaces, before it reaches the soil. Interception creates a significant store of water in wooded areas. Interception storage is temporary because the collected water evaporates quickly. 4) Baseflow is groundwater flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and river beds. 5) There would be a water surplus as the ground store recharge has taken place and whilst Precipitation continues to take place, the ground is too saturated to absorb the water, creating a surplus. 6) River discharge is measured by the cross-sectional area of the channel multiplied by the velocity of the water. 7) Precipitation, hot weather and the removal of water affect river discharge. 8) A) The lag time is 20 minutes. B) C) The steep slopes meant that the precipitation travelled fast downhill to the river, without much infiltration, which is what causes the short lag time and extremely tall rising limb. The impermeable geology would also have contributed to this, as well as the sparse woodland, as there...
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...Subaerial Weathering Sub-aerial processes are land based processes which alter the shape of a coastline. They’re a combination of both weathering and mass movement. Freeze Thaw: Freeze thaw weathering involves water entering cracks in rocks and freezing. When the water freezes it expands, fracturing the rock. Exfoliation: The repeated action of heating and cooling rocks causing them to “shed” off layers. Biological Weathering: Plant seeds get into cracks in rocks and begin growing. As they grow, they exert pressure on the rocks, causing them to fracture. Seaweed, under the sea, can attach itself to rocks so that, as the sea moves the seaweed, chunks of rock are pulled away. Chemical Weathering: Corrosion is technically a form of weathering and not erosion. Processes such as hydrolysis and oxidation can weather away rocks. Hydrolysis involves the splitting of minerals due to their reactivity with water. * Oxidation: Oxidation is, basically, rusting. Elements such as iron are susceptible to oxidation and can be found within minerals on coastlines. * Hydrolysis: Hydrolysis involves the splitting of minerals due to their reactivity with water. * Hydration: Where rocks that may include salts absorb water and swell, making them more susceptible to deposition. * Carbonation: Carbon Dioxide in solution found in rainwater produces carbonic acid (H2CO3). This attacks the calcium carbonate found in limestones and many other rocks, with the soluble product being...
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... Imagine that you are hiking through the mountains, the wind blowing through your hair and you spot it. A beautiful waterfall that takes your breath away. Iceland is a great place to visit if you want to see amazing sights. 1.) First we will talk about Iceland's history. 2.) Then we will talk about the culture of Iceland. 3.) Lastly we will talk about the activities you can do there.(30) According to Iceland 2004, Pytheas, a third century Greek scholar and explorer was the first person to discover Iceland. After he wrote about his discoveries, Irish hermits from the seventh and ninth centuries reached Iceland. They returned with tales of this empty island. There were only about 20,000 settlers at first and they came from Norway. The island was considerable fully settled by 930 and even had set up a legislative and judicial body. Although, they had to rely on Norway for for supplies. Due to this Iceland handed over legislative power to the king of Norway and agreed to pay taxes to Norway. Iceland also came under Danish administration. Iceland was feeling the effects of over 150 years of isolation from the rest of Europe and to add to that the economy was struggling and natural disasters were happening. At the end of the eighteenth century, towns and cities did not exist in Iceland. On July 7, 1944, the Republic of Iceland was established. Iceland now has a highly educated population and is still highly taxed. Now that we have talked about Iceland's history, let's talk about...
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...Lecture 1: Landscape concepts What are landscapes? Natural (natural sceneries) and built (well-known structures and buildings, ordinary sites and environments, human activities over space). Landscapes are not just the natural and physical features of the earth’s surface. But also features of the earth’s surface that are produced by humans, both those that inspire awe (iconic structures) as well as the more ordinary scenes and environments. Landscapes can also refer to spatialised individual and collective human. Landscapes can be materially and tangibly perceived as well as represented in a book, on a postcard, through a film, as a painting etc. Symbolic landscapes are described symbolically by what it signifies, such as when it depicts abstract ideas like wealth, place to relax etc. Why are geographers interested in landscapes? 1. The way landscapes take shape show the values, ideologies, politics of the society. 2. Change of society over time can be seen in the landscapes (past, present, future) as repositories of how societies function at any time. 3. Human activities 4. Geographic scales indicate importance of spatial scales to everyday geographies of people. 5. Power relations and politics Therefore, landscape as a tool to analyze societies- ‘Geographers use landscape as a lens to study social life and change’ Landscape concepts: useful to understand how landscapes are experienced, and the tangible and symbolic values of landscapes ...
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...Geographical Theory. 1. To what extent does the channel profile of the Wildbour Clough River follow the Bradshaw model? I predict that the river will follow the Bradshaw model and that the Width and Depth of the river will increase as it travels downstream. I predict this, because the Tributaries which attach to the river, and the water added from the drainage basin will increase the rivers discharge. With all this extra water added, when the river travels downstream, increasing its velocity, the river’s banks and beds will become eroded; therefore making it deeper and wider. This process is called Hydraulic action. The width and depth will also be affected because of abrasion. Abrasion is where stones carried downstream with the river bash against the river bed and banks, causing them to become worn-down. 2. To what extent is there a relationship between the velocity of the Wildbour Clough River and erosional processes acting on bed load size and shape? I predict that as the rivers velocity increases, the bed load size and shape will decrease and become smoother. I predict this because I noticed that upstream the rivers velocity was slower, and the bed load was much larger and rougher. And downstream the velocity had increased, and the bed load was much smaller and a lot smoother. As the velocity down stream was much faster than upstream, as the stones were washed down river they picked up more momentum and began to move faster, this...
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...In what ways may the risk of flooding in a drainage basin be increased by human activities? (16) //Floods occur during periods of high discharge, when a stream runs out of its confines and submerges surrounding areas. A flood is an unusual high-water stage in which water overflows its natural or artificial banks onto normally dry land. Floods are not only be caused by natural factors, high precipitation intensity but also human activities. Hence, this essay seeks to explain how the risk of flooding in a drainage basin is increased by human activities. //Firstly, urbanization can increase the risk of flooding in a drainage basin. Urbanization is defined as the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. Urbanization drastically alters the drainage traits of natural catchments, or drainage areas, by increasing the volume and rate of surface runoff. While the impact of on river system may be minimal, the carrying capacity of small streams may be quickly exceeded, causing flooding and erosion issues. Often, the runoff from intense rainfall exceeds the carrying capacity of the sewer system, creating a backup in the system and hence the flooding of basements and roads are aggravated. Hence, this highlights the human activities such as urbanization increases the risk of flooding in a drainage basin. //Secondly, the risk of flooding in a drainage basin can be increased by human activities such as dam failure. Flooding can result from dam failure or other hydraulic...
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...eference is likely to be made to changes in the dominant processes – from vertical erosion nearer the source to lateral erosion becoming more dominant lower down. Deposition may also be referred to here. There should be understanding of these, why they are dominant in different sections and the impact they have on the valley cross profile. Reference to reasons for this relating to graded profile, the effect of height/gravity in connection with potential energy and the impact of increasing discharge on kinetic energy are valid here. May refer to meander migration in connection with widening the valley. May refer to other factors, such as geology, rejuvenation, glaciation, mass movement, quarries. Level 1 (1-4 marks) Is aware of the changing processes responsible. Begins to explain – in the context of erosion/deposition processes. Some use of appropriate terminology present at the higher end. Level 2 (5-7 marks) Processes responsible are linked clearly to changing shape. Explanation is developed, with reference to underlying reasons – changes in energy, links to graded profile/base level. Appropriate geographical terminology is used. (4 marks) AO1–1 AO2–1 AO3–2 1 (a) (ii) 1 (b) (4 marks) AO1–1 AO2–1 AO3–2 (7 marks) AO1 – 4 AO2 - 3 Geography 2030 - AQA A Level Mark Scheme 2010 June series Section A Question 1 5 Geography 2030 - AQA A Level Mark Scheme 2010 June series 1 (c) Content will depend on case studies used. Flooding may be defined within the answer...
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...The Causes of massive movements are due more too human or physical factors? What can increase the chance of a landslide? Several factors can increase a slopes susceptibility to a landslide event: * water (rainfall or the movement of the sea) — this acts as a grease to the material increasing the likelihood that it will slip and also adds extra weight to the rock * erosion processes — such as coastal erosion and river erosion * steepness of slope * type of 'rocks' — soft rock such as mudstone or hard rock such as limestone * shape of the rock 'grains' * jointing and orientation of bedding planes * arrangement of the rock layers * Weathering processes — for example freeze-thaw reduces the stickiness (cohesion) between the rock grains. * lack of vegetation which would help bind material together * flooding * volcanoes and earthquake activity nearby * man's activity — mining, traffic vibrations or urbanisation which changes surface water drainage patterns Aberfan disaster 1966 * 21st October 1966, involving a coal tip slag heap at Aberfan, killed 147 people. * A build-up of rain water inside the tip at Aberfan probably burst the base of the tip and caused 2 million tons of waste to slid down the valley * Thus cause of man’s activity as dumping kept increasing the weight on the slope on the slope, increasing sheer stress and reducing sheer strength. * Physical causes of hill (the clay) being eroded by water increase...
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... A definition of myself. A seventeen year old female athlete in high school. That is what anyone walking down the street would say, but that random person walking down the street is not writing this essay. So, I am going to start over. A definition of myself. I am temperamental, I get aggressive, I tend to trust easier than I should, I forgive too easily, I am almost always angry, the glass tends to be half empty, I throw fits, my words tend to be venom, and I do not know who I am. I cannot pinpoint where I fit into society and what my purpose is. I do know that I am an aggressive teenage girl that runs Cross Country and Track, I am a girl that sings in my school's choir, I am a girl that tapes and bandages together wounded athlete in my school's athletic activities, I am a girl that enjoys listening to music so loudly that people have to repeat themselves at least twice before I can form a coherent sentence in my head, and I am a girl that is still trying to form a cohesive definition of myself. So, if I was asked right now at this moment in time to find a specific object that I would use to explain what has shaped me into the person I am, I would say look at my collection of The Beatles CD’s that I have in my room, go look at my dirty muddy spikes, look at my collection of poems that are pasted together with words that are full of emotion, look at my collections of candles, look at the walls of my room. Just look. The moments that people take and learn from, are the true...
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