Physical geography Flashcards
Physical Geography
the study of the earth’s interaction with the sun, seasons, the composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure and wind, storms and climatic disturbances, climate zones, microclimates, the hydrologic cycle, soils, rivers and streams, flora and fauna, weathering, erosion, natural hazards, deserts, glaciers and ice sheets, coastal terrain, ecosystems, geologic systems, and so much more.
Geomorphology
the study of Earth’s landforms and its surface’s processes—and how these processes change and have changed Earth’s surface—such as erosion, landslides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and floods
Hydrology
the study of the water cycle, including water distribution across the planet in lakes, rivers, aquifers, and groundwater; water quality; drought effects; and the probability of flooding in a region. Potamology is the study of rivers.
Glaciology
the study of glaciers and ice sheets, including their formation, cycles, and effect on Earth’s climate
Biogeography
the study of the distribution of life forms across the planet, relating to their environments; this field of study is related to ecology, but it also looks into the past distribution of life forms as well, as found in the fossil record.
Meteorology
the study of Earth’s weather, such as fronts, precipitation, wind, storms, and the like, as well as forecasting short-term weather based on available data
Climatology
the study of Earth’s atmosphere and climate, how it has changed over time, and how humans have affected it
Pedeology
the study of soil, including types, formation, and regional distribution over Earth
Paleogeography
the study of historical geographies, such as the location of the continents over time, through looking at geological evidence, such as the fossil record
Coastal geography
the study of the coasts, specifically concerning what happens where land and water meet
Oceanography
the study of the world’s oceans and seas, including aspects such as floor depths, tides, coral reefs, underwater eruptions, and currents. Exploration and mapping is a part of oceanography, as is research into the effects of water pollution.
Quaternary science
the study of the previous 2.6 million years on Earth, such as the most recent ice age and Holocene period, including what it can tell us about the change in Earth’s environment and climate
Landscape ecology
the study of how ecosystems interact with and affect each other in an area, especially looking at the effects of the uneven distribution of landforms and species in these ecosystems (spatial heterogeneity)
Geomatics
the field that gathers and analyzes geographic data, including the gravitational force of Earth, the motion of the poles and Earth’s crust, and ocean tides (geodesy). In geomatics, researchers use the Geographic Information System (GIS), which is a computerized system for working with map-based data.
Environmental geography
the study of the interactions between people and their environment and the resulting effects, both on the environment and on the people; this field bridges physical geography and human geography.
