Unit 0 - 1 Flashcards
the altitude of a place above sea level or ground
elevation
the numbering system used to indicate the location of parallels drawn on a globe and measuring distance north and south of the equator
latitude
a current of air sometimes of considerable force, moving generally horizontally from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
wind patterns
the continuous predictable, directional movement of sea water driven by gravity, wind and water density
ocean currents
any of the world’s main continuous expanses of land
location on continent
occurs when air masses are forced to flow over high topography
orographic effect
the island’s side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains
leeward
an island’s side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds
windward
a patch of land that has been forced to become a desert because mountain ranges blocked all plant-growing, rainy weather.
rain shadow effect
a large group of islands
archipelago
a string of closely spaced small coral islands enclosing or nearly enclosing a shadow lagoon
atoll
a small body of water that extends into the land
bay
a piece of land jutting into the sea of some other large body of water
cape
one of the main landmasses of the globe
continent
the part of the sea floor that slopes gently down from the continents
continental shelf
a region of little rainfall where few plants and animals live
desert
a fan shaped landform at the mouth of a river created by deposits of sediment
delta
a large body of salt water that is partly enclosed by land
gulf
a piece of land surrounded by water
island
a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas
isthmus
the vast body of salt water that covers almost three fourths of the earth’s surface
ocean
a high area of land with steep sides and a sharp peak
mountains
an inland body of fresh or salt water
lake
a natural or artificial place where water is collected and stored for use
reservoir
a flat area of land that is higher than the land around it
Plateau
a landform bordered by water on three sides
peninsula
a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water
strait
a body of salt water that is mostly enclosed by land or islands
sea
a long body of water that flows across land from higher elevation to a lower elevation
river
lowland area such as a marsh or swamp that is saturated with moisture
Wetlands
an area of low land between mountains or hills
valley
a stream or river that feeds a lake or a larger stream or river
tributary
geological forces that buckle, distort and fracture the earths crust including warping folding faulting and volcanic activity
tectonic forces
geological forces that buckle, distort and fracture the earths crust including warping folding faulting and volcanic activity
weathering
the process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water or other natural agents.
erosion
