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Canadian Geography Vocab > Physical Geography > Flashcards

Physical Geography Flashcards

1
Q

Continental drift

A

Theory by Alfred Wegener, a German scientist, stating that 300 million years ago there was a collision of all of Earth’s land masses, that formed Pangaea, a supercontinent. 200 million years ago, Pangaea broke up and the land masses drifted to the positions they are in now; gradual movement of continents.

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2
Q

Pangaea

A

Supercontinent that included all Earth’s land masses. It existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic era, from about 300 million to about 200 million years ago

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3
Q

Plate tectonics

A

Theory that states that Earth’s outer shell consists of plates that move causing earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the formation of new crust

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4
Q

Convection currents

A

Circular movement in a fluid caused by uneven heating

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5
Q

Erosion

A

Weathering where Earth’s surface is worn away by wind, precipitation or other natural agents followed by the movement to other locations of materials that have worn away

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6
Q

Geologic time

A

History of Earth from its formation to the present, divided into four eras: Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian

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7
Q

Eras

A

Time periods into which geologic time was divided

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8
Q

Sediments

A

Matter that has been eroded by wind or precipitation and has settled to the bottom of a liquid

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9
Q

Glaciation

A

State of being covered by glaciers or ice sheets

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10
Q

Canadian Shield

A

Large area of exposed Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock

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11
Q

Geoscience

A

Any science associated with the Earth

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12
Q

Glaciers

A

Slow-moving masses of ice

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13
Q

Landform

A

Naturally-formed feature on Earth’s surface

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14
Q

Drainage

A

Process of draining water from a large area by flowing out of depressions in the land

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15
Q

Meltwater

A

Water that comes from melting ice or snow

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16
Q

Topography

A

Both the natural and human-made features of an area

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17
Q

Highlands

A

Area of high elevation

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18
Q

Lowlands

A

Area of low elevation

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19
Q

Bedrock

A

Solid rock beneath the soil

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20
Q

Impervious

A

Incapable of being penetrated by fluids

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21
Q

Differential erosion

A

Process through which softer rocks erode more quickly than harder rocks, allowing for different levels of elevation

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22
Q

Escarpment

A

Steep cliff formed by erosion or faulting

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23
Q

Rift Valley

A

Valley created by faulting. It is formed when a section of land in between two faults drops downwards

24
Q

Lignite

A

Soft coal between peat and bituminous coal often used in thermo-electric power plants

25
Q

Plateau

A

Elevated flat area

26
Q

Weather

A

Daily conditions of the atmosphere (temperature, moisture, wind, pressure, etc.)

27
Q

Climate

A

Weather patterns over a long period of time - influenced by latitude, ocean currents, winds and air masses, elevation, relief and other precipitation, and proximity to water

28
Q

Air mass

A

A large body of air that has constant characteristics throughout - it adopts the temperature and moisture characteristics of the area above which it was formed

29
Q

Prevailing winds

A

The most common wind in a specific area - Canada’s prevailing winds are the westerlies which blow from west to east

30
Q

Polar front

A

Area where cool, dry air and hot, moist air meet

31
Q

Jet stream

A

A current of fast-moving air above the Polar Front - it can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h

32
Q

Condensation

A

The process through which a gas becomes a liquid

33
Q

Relief precipitation

A

The behaviour of a moist air mass when it meets a barrier of high relief - the air mass rises, cools, condenses, and precipitates. On the other side of the mountain, as it sinks, there is more evaporation than condensation

34
Q

Conventional precipitation

A

A type of precipitation, usually occurring on hot summer days - the heated land heats the air mass above it, which cools, condenses, and precipitates

35
Q

Continental climate

A

A dry climate with a late temperature range - cold winters, hot summers

36
Q

Maritime climate

A

A wet climate with a small temperature range

37
Q

Moderating effect

A

The effect a large body of water has on the climate of the area around it - milder, wet climate

38
Q

Tsunami

A

A long, high sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes, landslide or other disturbance

39
Q

Soil

A

Upper layer of Earth where plants grow, consisting of organic material

40
Q

Humus

A

Dark, upper part of soil, mainly consisting of decayed plant matter

41
Q

Soil profile

A

Different layers in the soil and bedrock

42
Q

Leaching

A

Removal of minerals by water as it passes through - leaching is common in areas with a wet climate

43
Q

Calcification

A

The movement of water and minerals to the upper part of the soil by capillary action, creating mineral-rich humus. This humus can be poisonous to plants. Calcification is common in areas with a dry climate.

44
Q

Capillary action

A

Upward movement of water through small spaces

45
Q

Tundra

A

Northernmost vegetation region - vast, cold, ground permanently frozen, treeless

46
Q

Transition zones

A

Area where the characteristics of one region blend into another - the mixed forest vegetation zone is a transition zone, from boreal and taiga to deciduous, but it is large enough to be considered it’s own region

47
Q

Permafrost

A

Permanently frozen soil that does not thaw

48
Q

Boreal and taiga forest

A

Vegetation region of coniferous trees stretching from east to west across Canada - between tundra and mixed forest

49
Q

Coniferous

A

Needle- and cone-bearing trees that are evergreen

50
Q

Deciduous trees

A

Leaf-bearing trees that lose them seasonally

51
Q

Mixed forest

A

Forest containing both coniferous and deciduous trees

52
Q

Short-Grass prairie

A

Region of grassland vegetation region in which the low levels of precipitation cause grasses to be shorter

53
Q

Long-grass prairie

A

Region of vegetation in the grasslands vegetation region in which the high levels of precipitation cause grasses to be longer

54
Q

Parkland

A

Transition zone between grasslands and boreal forest

55
Q

Ecotone

A

Distinct ecological region defined by physical, human, and biological factors

56
Q

Gross Domestic Product

A

Total value of all goods and services produced in a country in one year

Canadian Geography Vocab (2 decks)

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