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Physical Connections
Review for GEO20 Test
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tectonic processes | formed the Hawaiian islands |
| Canadian Shield | Land formation of the oldest rock on the planet; it surrounds Hudson Bay |
| cordillera | means 'mountain range" |
| coniferous | trees that are green all year; have needles, not leaves |
| Boreal forest | does not contain deciduous trees, only coniferous |
| deciduous | trees that lose their leaves in fall & grow new leaves in spring |
| humus | "the top layer of soil, necessary for plant growth" |
| climatic control (climate control) | "An element that controls climate: temperature, precipitation, range. Acronym: L-O-W-E-R-NEAR WATER" |
| ocean currents | a "maritime" climate control; affects the temperature of air passing over it. |
| moderating effect | caused by large bodies of water - regulates temperature (keeps from getting extreme heat/cold) |
| elevation | "The higher you go, the colder it gets. (3.3 degrees/1000 feet)" This word means "height" |
| climate graph | a visual representation of a city's average temperature and precipitation |
| Topography | Includes the study of landforms and their creation |
| Latitude | "As this increases, temperature decreases" |
| Air Masses | A climate control. A large volume of air with the climate conditions of the area where it is formed. Over oceans = moist. over land= dry. Affect precipitation and temperature. |
| Ocean currents | affect temperature of maritime climates |
| Relief | "What the surface of the earth looks like: mountains, valleys, plains, etc. (landforms)" |
| continental drift | "The theory that continents moved together and then apart 300 million years ago. There are 4 proofs: jigsaw shape of continents, ice caps (remnants) on southern continents, similar/identical fossils on different continents , and similar mountains (UK/NA)" |
| Death Valley | lowest point in North America (-250m BSL) |
| Denali (Mt. McKinley) | Highest point in North America (6000+ m ASL) |
| tectonic activity | tectonic plates interacting - folding/faulting or volcanic action |
| volcanoes | formed by tectonic activity and convection cells |
| treeline | the point beyond which trees can no longer grow due to lack of topsoil and/or climate |
| highlands | "usually mountains - Rocky mountains, Appalachian Mountains, and Innuitian mountains in NA" |
| Lowlands | "Interior plains, coastal lowlands, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, and Hudson Bay-Arctic lowlands" |
| 4 components of soil | B - Bacteria & Organic materials A - Air M - Minerals (from parent material - erosion) M - Moisture (water) |
| Leaching | "When there is too much water & nutrients in soil are washed downward, removing nutrients that plants need. Can be solved with FERTILIZER" |
| Calcification | "When there is not enough water in dry climates, & Groundwater is drawn upwards. Minerals are left behind in topsoil as it evaporates, making topsoil hard. (calcium is the main mineral left near the surface). Irrigation can help solve calcification." |
| Vegetation regions of North America | 1. tundra, 2. boreal & taiga forest, 3. mixed forest, 4. deciduous forest, 5. West Coast Forest 6. grasslands, 7. cordilleran vegetation |
| Tundra | "above the treeline; most has permafrost; waterlogged surface; very short growing season; veg is small shrubs, lichens and mosses. " |
| Boreal & Taiga forest | "south of the tundra (below treeline); largest veg region in Canada; Coniferous trees; shallow humus & high soil acidity (b/c pine needles) leaching. Unsuitable for agriculture. Short growing season. Pulp & paper, lumber. poplar& white birch." |
| Mixed forest | south of boreal forest. Coniferous & deciduous trees. Much is depleted in southern area (lumbering). a transition zone from boreal to deciduous forest. regular abundant precip. warm summer/cool winter. Rich humus. suitable for farming. |
| Deciduous forest | "Southwestern Ontario, NE USA; only small parts remain because of farming and urban development. Long hot summers, mild winters, lots of precip. Hardwood trees (maple, beech, hickory, ash, black walnut). Rich dark brown soils - most fertile in Canada." |
| Grasslands | "Another name for prairies - Southern MB, SK and AB. Too dry for most trees, but they grow in river valleys. Sod mat. 3 sub regions - short grass prairie, (calcified soils bad for crops) long grass prairie (rich soil, best grains in the world) and parklan |
| parkland | "a transition zone - long grass prairie mixed with clumps of trees (coniferous in northern part, deciduous in southern part)" |
| Cordilleran Vegetation | varies greatly b/c of rainshadow and valleys/mtns (elevation) Poor soils (irrigation needed for agriculture). Forests of coniferous trees @ bottom of mtns, tundra-like @ top; treeline, then bare rock @ top. |
| West Coast Forest | Lush forests - douglas, fir, Sitka srpuce, red cedar & western hemlock. Heavy rainfall, mild climate. Humus good but lots of leaching because of high precip. |
| Winds | A climate control. Caused by differences in air pressure. Warm air rises (low pressure), cool air falls (high pressure). Air moves from high to low pressure areas. |
| Prevailing Winds | Caused by high and low pressure belts of air that have created a well-established pattern. In most of Canada & US they blow from west to east ("westerlies"). Carry characteristics of originating area. (Arctic winds = cold & dry; from Gulf of Mexico = warm |
| front | the boundary between different air masses |
| jet stream | a current of air that moves from west to east at speeds of 300 - 500 kph & at altitudes between 9000 - 18000 m. Changes speed & position with seasons. Moves south in winter, north in summer |
| precipitation | Caused by air rising. As it rises, it cools and water vapour condenses more than it evaporates. Can be rain, snow, dew or frost |
| relief precipitation | air rises to cross an area of high elevation. Precipitation caused by mountain barriers |
| Convectional precipitation | air rises because it has absorbed heat from the earth's surface. Precipitation caused by heat. |
| Cyclonic precipitation | air rises because there is a cooler, denser air mass flowing beneath it that forces it up. Precipitation caused by air masses meeting. |
| Weather | the day to day characteristics of atmospheric conditions: temp, precip, humidity, wind speed & direction, cloud cover, air pressure |
| Climate | A long-term pattern of weather. illustrated by statistics and data of weather over a number of years. |
| Landform Regions of Canada | 1. Western Cordillera 2. Interior Plains 3. Canadian Shield 4. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands 5. Appalachia (AKA Atlantic or Maritimes) 6. Hudson Bay-Arctic Lowlands 7. Innuitian mountains |
Created by:
jwarner
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