week 2

Question 1

three large forces shaping the landforms

Answer 1

1. Tectonic collision (n-s uplifting) example - Himalayan mountains
2. Compression (east-west warping) example - Hengduan mountains
3. Volcanism (island arcs) example - ring of fire

Question 2

the pacific ring of fire

Answer 2

large 40 000km belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean composed of tectonic plates and sea trenches, important subduction of plates, the most seismic region of the world , account for more than 90% of the worlds earthquake

Question 3

Chinas three major east-west stair steps

Answer 3

1. West china - numerous high and rugged mountain chains alternating with high elevation deserts and plateaus and steep gorges cut by fast moving rivers
2. central mountains/plateau region - numerous mountain systems and dry plateau, alluvial plains area won wider and more amenable to agriculture and settlement closer to the east coast
3. Eastern Coastal China - erosional process in west and central china with alluvial deposition creating massive coastal plains

Question 4

the three great topographic steps

Answer 4

1. Qinghai Tibetan Plateau
   2, Central Mountains and plateau
2. East/Northeast china lowlands

Question 5

highlands

Answer 5

diverse environments and ecologies
passage ways
protected regions
source regions

Question 6

lowlands

Answer 6

homogenous environments and ecologies
regions of enclosure
potential environmental hazards
discharge regions

Question 7

six climate zones

Answer 7

1. cold/frigid temperate
2. mid temperate
3. warm temperate
4. sub tropical
5. tropical
6. equatorial

Question 8

suitable for human settlement

Answer 8

mid temperate, warm temperate and sub tropical have clearly identifiable 4 seasons

Question 9

human settlements

Answer 9

Populations are generally clustered in plains,basins and coastal lowlands

Question 10

west china pros and cons

Answer 10

cons
- limited water resources including rainfall
- flat arable land at a premium limits agricultural incomes
- high transport costs
- uneven population distribution
pros
- vast mineral resources
-energy resources and growing processing capacity
improved transportation systems
emerging links to central asian economics