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Earth’s Physical Geography. The Seasons –The seasons occur because of the tilt of the Earth’s axis . Looking at Latitudes. Equator –On March 21 and September 23 the sun is directly over the equator. This is the spring and fall equinox.
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The Seasons –The seasons occur because of the tilt of the Earth’s axis.
Looking at Latitudes Equator –On March 21 and September 23 the sun is directly over the equator. This is the spring and fall equinox. Tropic of Cancer –23 ½ N the sun shines directly upon this point on June 21st or 22nd . Summer Solstice Tropic of Capricorn –23 ½ S the sun shines directly upon this point on December 21st or 22nd . Winter Solstice
Low Latitudes –The area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This area is also known as the tropics. North Pole –66 ½ N South Pole –66 ½ S High Latitudes –The area between the 66 ½ line and the pole. Middle Latitudes –The area north and south between 23 ½ and 66 ½.
Essential Questions: 1. The Earth revolves and the Earth rotates. Explain the difference between the two. 2. What causes the Earth to have seasons?
Land, Air and Water The Ring of Fire –The name for the area surrounding the Pacific Ocean which contains 90% of the worlds volcanoes and earthquake activity. Earthquakes and volcanoes are two forces that shape the Earth.
What is the Earth made of? Landforms -shapes and types of land. Mountains–rise more than 2000 feet and peak. Hills–less steep than mountains and rounded Plateau–A large mostly flat area that rises above the land. Plains–large areas of flat or gently rolling land
Water –97% of the Earth’s water is salt water in the oceans. Most of the 3% of the fresh water is frozen at the poles.
Climate and What Influences It Weather–The day-to-day changes in the air. Climate–The average weather for a region over many years. Temperature–How hot or cold the air feels. Precipitation–Water that falls to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, or snow.
The three things that affect climate –Wind, Water, Latitude and sometimes Landforms! Similar latitudes should have similar climates. Because latitude affects temperature, geographers know that there are different climates in the low, middle, and high latitudes. Wind and water also play a role. Hot air rises and cold air sinks causing the winds to blow from north to south and the rotation of the Earth cause air to move east to west.
How Climate Affects Vegetation Adaptation –Features developed to help plants and animals adapt to a particular climate. Vegetation –The plants that grow naturally in a particular climate.
The Earth’s Five Types of Climates: Tropical Dry Moderate Continental Polar
Dry Climates– arid and semiarid climates receive very little moisture. Vegetation is sparse. Moderate Climates –Found in the middle latitudes. Three types are Mediterranean, marine west coast, and humid subtropical. Most of the world’s population resides in the moderate climates…not too hot, not too cold. Continental Climates – Hot summers and cold winters.
Polar Climates –The high latitudes which has the tundra. No trees with low grasses, mosses, and lichens. Vertical Climate –The climate changes according to the height of a mountain. The higher you go, the climate changes according to mountain height.
