1 Notes - Physical Geography
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Transcript of 1 Notes - Physical Geography
Geography of Canada
Physical Geography
Planet Earth
1. Plate Tectonics 2. Geologic History3. Earth’s Interior4. Rock Cycle
Note 2.1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
Continental Drift was a theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1915.
He was a Meteorologist in Germany.
He stated that the continents had moved, but could not explain what made them move.
He proposed the idea of Pangea, meaning “All Land”. This is the meeting of the continents.
Note 2.1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
Wegener used the following evidence to support his theory:
1. The jigsaw puzzle fit of the continents
2. Similar fossils in South America and Africa
3. Similar mountains in both Atlantic Canada and the U.K.
4. Evidence of ice sheets in India, Africa, and South America
Alfred Wegener
Movement of the Plates
Write an article as if you were a reporter from 1915. The subject is Alfred Wegener. You either support him, are curious about him, or think he is a nutcase.
Marks for discussing his theory, and stating a clear opinion.
So-called Scientist found buried in research
Continenta
l Drift
Pangaea
Alfred WegenerRespected Scientist
Antarctica
THE CONTINENTS TODAY
Note 2.2 Plate Tectonics
In 1967, J. Tuzo Wilson, proposed the idea of Plate Tectonics.
He proposed that the continents are ontop of plates, or large masses of rock. Theplates are moved by a force called Convection currents.
He used earthquake data to determine where the boundaries of plates are.
Plate Tectonics is widely accepted amongscientists today.
Plate Tectonics Map
Earth’s InteriorCrust- 8-64 km thick- cold & fragile- Granite and Basalt
Mantle- 1800 km thick- hot & molten- Magnesium and Silicon
Outer Core- 2000 km thick- 3 - 4000°C- liquid Nickel and Iron
Inner Core- 1400 km thick- 5 - 6000°C- solid Nickel and Iron
Air
Land
Water
LITHOSPHERE
HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE
Plate Tectonics Processes
Plate Tectonics Separating
Plate Tectonics Separating
Plate Tectonics Separating
Plate Tectonics Colliding
Plate Tectonics Colliding
Plate Tectonics Sliding
Plate Tectonics Sliding
Plate Tectonics Sliding
Plate Tectonics Sliding
Plate Tectonics Earthquakes and the Richter Scale
• Less than 3.5 Generally not felt, but recorded.• 3.5-5.4 Often felt, but rarely causes damage.• Under 6.0 At most slight damage to well-
designed buildings.• 6.1-6.9 Can be destructive in areas up to about
100 kilometers across.• 7.0-7.9 Major earthquake. Can cause serious
damage over larger areas.• 8 or greater Great earthquake. Can cause serious
damage in areas several hundred kilometers across.
Note 2.2 The Rock Cycle
IGNEOUSSEDIMENTARY
ROCKMETAMORPHIC
ROCK
W.E.D. = Weathers, erodes, and deposits
SEDIMENT
Melts
W.E.D.
Melts Cools
Pressure W.E.D. W.E.D.
Melts
Heat & Heat & PressurePressure
Heat & Heat & PressurePressure
MAGMA
Granite
Igneous Rock
Sediment
Sedimentary Rock
Metamorphic Rock
Note 2.3 Geologic History• Precambrian EraDuring this era, the hot earth cooled to form mounds of rock called Shields. Volcanic activity continued to change the landscape.
Volcanism
Ancient SeaIgneous Rock
Fault
Note 2.3 Geologic History
• Paleozoic Era
Igneous Rock
Erosion Erosion
SedimentsSediments
During this era, water, wind and glaciers eroded the Shield, creating sediments that fell into the sea around the rock. These sediments built up and were compressed into sedimentary rock.
Note 2.3 Geologic History • Mesozoic Era
ErosionSediments
Sediments
Mountains Forming
Igneous Rock
Tectonic forces pushed weaker sedimentary rock against the igneous rock, causing it to buckle, creating mountains.
Note 2.3 Geologic History• Cenozoic Era
Mountains Forming
Igneous Rock
Sedimentary Mountains
Eroding
Sedimentary Plains
PACIFIC OCEAN
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
INTERIOR PLAINS
CANADIAN SHIELD
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Continuous forces of erosion and mountain-building have created Canada as we know it.
Page 100 # 2-8
Note 2.4 - Climate and Weather
Weather
• is the condition of the atmosphere which lasts over a short time period and for a small area
• consists of characteristics such as temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, and air pressure.
Note 2.4 - Climate and Weather
Climate
• is the condition of the atmosphere which lasts over a long time period (usually many years) and for a large area.
• consists of the same characteristics as weather (such as temperature, precipitation, air pressure, etc.)
Note 2.4 - Climate and Weather
What's the difference?
• The time period considered - weather describes atmospheric conditions over a few days, or it can change hour by hour, while climate describes conditions over many years (usually 20 years is the standard).
• The land area involved- weather is localized (it can be raining in Brampton but sunny in Mississauga) but climate is regionalized (all of Southern Ontario has the same climate).
• Climate is "average weather"
Note 2.4 - Climate and Weather
Great terms to know:
Precipitation – any form of water that falls from the sky
Average Annual Temperature – daily average temperatures added up and averaged over a year.
Temperature Range – The highest temperature minus the lowest (e.g 25° - 5° = a 20° range)
Total Precipitation – Add up the precipitation
Continental Climate - climate away from a large body of water
Higher Temperature Range (more than 25 degrees)Cold winters and hot summersLess precipitation (less than 1000 mm per year)e.g. Winnipeg
Maritime Climate - climate near a large body of water (and I mean big!)
-Low temperature range-Mild winters, cooler summers-More precipitation (more than 1000 mm per year)-E.g. Vancouver
Note 2.6 - Factors Affecting Climate
LOWER
Near Water
LatitudeOcean CurrentsWinds
Elevation
ReliefUrban Centres
• Closer to the EQUATOR the HOTTER the weather will be.
• The FURTHER away from the Equator, the colder the weather will be.
Latitude
• Cold ocean currents make the weather COLD. Even close to the Equator.
• Warm ocean currents make the weather warmer.
Ocean Currents
• The strength and direction of winds can change PRECIPITATION (Rain & Snow).
• Winds also carry clouds. Clouds carry precipitation (Rain & Snow).
Winds
• The HIGHER above sea level you get (UP a MOUNTAIN), the COLDER it gets.
• Often why there is SNOW on tops of MOUNTAINS.
Elevation:
The SHAPE of the land affects precipitation patterns.
On the “windward” side of mountains and hills, there is more rain. e.g. Vancouver is a very rainy place.
Relief:
• The closer you are to water, the more MODERATE your weather is. This means WARMER WINTERS and COOL SUMMERS.
• Provinces closer to the Ocean:
1. British Columbia2. Nova Scotia3. P.E.I.4. New Brunswick5. Newfoundland
Near Water:
• Concrete and asphalt retain heat, warming up the city
• The heat creates thunderstorms
Urban Centres
Movement of Storm
Cool air descendsand replaces
warm air
Thermal PrecipitationNote 2.6Types of Precipitation
Thermal PrecipitationA.K.A. Convectional Precipitation
Warm areas of land or water heat the air above.Hot air rises and cools. Cooler air is pushed down. Clouds form and rain falls.This is the cause of most thunderstorms.
Thermal Precipitation
Rain
Cool airWarm air
Warm air
the ground
Warm air rises over cold air; it expands and cools, condenses,clouds form and it rains/snows
This line represents the front separating warm air from cold air
Frontal Precipitation
Frontal PrecipitationA.K.A. Cyclonic Precipitation
Cool and warm air meet. Warm air cools. Clouds form and rain falls where the two fronts meet.
Frontal Precipitation
When air rises the pressure on it decreases;
it expands and cools
When the air descends the pressure on it increases; the air contracts and warms
Pre
ssur
e de
crea
ses P
ressure increasesLittle or no rain
Dry wind
Rain
Moist wind
Sea the ground
Relief Precipitation
Rain Shadow
Relief PrecipitationA.K.A. Orographic Precipitation
Warm moist air is forced up by a mountain or hill. Air is cooled and rain or snow falls.
ReliefPrecipitation
Vegetation near Vancouver
Rain Shadow – near Drumheller Alberta
Note 2.5 - Climate Graphs
Climate Graphs are used to show average monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation.
They are a quick way to learn about an area's climate.
Temperature is always shown with a redline.
Precipitation is always shown with a bluebar graph.
With many climate graphs, we also include the temperature range, average monthly precipitation, and total annual precipitation.
Note 2.5 - Climate Graphs (continued)
For an area with a maximum average monthly temperature of 25ºC and a minimum average monthly temperature of -16ºC, calculate the temperature range.
25º C – (-16º C) = 41 º CTry another one! Maximum temperature is 15ºC Minimum temperature is -3ºC
15º C – (-3º C) = 18 º C
Note 2.8 – Components of SoilM - Minerals
(tiny rock fragments)
O - Organic Materials(bacteria, fragments of dead organisms, dried up roots, poo, etc)
M – Moisture
A - Air
Note 2.9 Coniferous and Deciduous Trees
Coniferous Trees- Often know as "evergreens" and as "softwoods"- Usually covered in needles- Often bear cones- Include pine, spruce, cedar
Deciduous Trees- Lose leaves in autumn- Often known as "hardwoods"- Covered in broad leaves- Include maple, oak, birch
Note 2.10 National Parks
National Parks are a country-wide system of representative natural areas of Canadian significance. By law, they are protected for public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment while being preserved in an unimpaired state for future generations.
Extent of National Parks
Currently, there are over 45 National Parks and Reserve Areas in Canada.
The smallest park is 8.7 km2 and the largest is 44 802 km2.
Currently, 2% of Canada's land mass is protected in National Parks. The goal is 3%.
Types of Parks
Preservation a) little human activityb) research is on-goingc) protects the environment
Conservation a) limited human activity (supervised)b) educates the public about the
environment
Recreation a) often involves camping / beachesb) humans enjoying nature
Morraine Lake, Banff National Park
Polar Bear at Cape Churchill (Wapusk National Park)
Forillon National Park
Mountains of Glacier National Park of Canada
Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Prince Edward Island National Park
Sirmilik Glacier, Sirmilik National Park
Riding Mountain National Park
Flowerpot Island, part of Fathom Five National Marine Park.
Notes/Handouts you can copy for students
Rain
Cool airWarm air
Warm air
the ground
Pre
ssur
e de
crea
ses P
ressure increasesLittle or no rain
Dry wind
Rain
Moist wind
Sea the ground
Geologic History
• Precambrian EraVulcanism
FaultAncient Sea
Igneous Rock
Geologic History
• Paleozoic Era
Igneous Rock
Erosion Erosion
SedimentsSediments
Geologic History
• Mesozoic Era
ErosionSediments
Sediments
Mountains Forming
Igneous Rock
Geologic History
• Cenozoic Era
Mountains Forming
Igneous Rock
Sedimentary Mountains
Eroding
Sedimentary Plains
PACIFIC OCEAN
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
INTERIOR PLAINS
CANADIAN SHIELD
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Note 2.3 The Rock Cycle
W.E.D. = Weathers, erodes, and deposits
Earth’s InteriorAir
Land
Water