Unit 1: Vocab / Basics Flashcards
geographia
“to describe the Earth”
geography
study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the Earth
linear distance
how far something travels
time
how long it takes
psychological distance
how people view it
globe
Three dimensional representation of the Earth
map
Two dimensional representation of the Earth’s surface
cartographer
mapmaker
satellites
provides geographical data
continent
landmass above water
solar system
sun, eight planets, celestial objects that orbit the sun
core
center of the earth
crust
thin layer of rock at the Earth’s surface
continental drift hypothesis
The supercontinent divided and drifted slowly
oceanic
sea floor
continental
land
plate tectonics
Enormous pieces of the Earth that move
earthquakes
shake / tremble of the Earth
ring of fire
zone around the Pacific where most active volcanoes are
erosion
Occurs by the action of:
wind water ice gravity
list the five themes of geography
location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, region
What is the atmosphere? What purpose does it serve?
Layer of gases
Protects the Earth from radiation and debris
list three types of maps
general reference, thematic, navigational
List the four parts of the ocean
Atlantic, pacific, arctic, indian
Name two external forces that shape the Earth
weathering, erosion
droughts
no rain for a long time
tornadoes
can form quickly and without warning
currents
Distribute the sun’s heat from one part of the world to another
el nino
the warming of the waters off the coasts of South America/Europe
greenhouse effect
gases trap solar energy
topography
the combined characteristics of landforms and their resources
elevation
The distance above sea level
flood
water covers land
convection
The transfer of heat through the upward motion of air
weather
condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time
precipitation
determines climate
blizzard
heavy snowstorm
latitude lines
lines measure the distance from the equator
climate
weather conditions for a particular location over a long period of time
hurricanes
takes days to develop
soil regions
Important for food supply and vegetation
vegetation regions
Provide for human stages of farming, herding
forestlands
Have a heavy concentration of trees
grasslands
Few trees, plains and prairies
desert / tundra
Have plants and animals that have adapted to survive in extreme conditions
pollution
One possible cause of global warming
What causes the seasons to change?
The Earth’s revolution and tilt
List the four factors that affect climate.
wind currents and ocean currents, latitude, elevation, topography
Choose one large climate region and describe the region.
Marine West Coast - cloudy, foggy, damp
What do scientists believe could be a cause of global warming?
Theory global temperature is increasing due to the greenhouse
