Lesson 7 speedback quiz, BYU Geography Final

A region that is linked as a unit through some service or organization.

What is Functional Region?

Half of the earth as divided by the equator or by a meridian.

What is Hemisphere?

The distance measured by degrees north or south from the equator.

What is Latitude?

A key to understanding maps.

What is Legend?

The distance east or west from the Prime Meridian measured in degrees or time.

What is Longitude?

Any of the imaginary circles around the earth passing through the poles and marking longitude.

What is Meridian?

Any of the imaginary circles around the earth marking latitude.

What is Parallel?

A region defined by human feelings and attitudes.

What is Perceptual Region?

The 0° line of longitude from which other longitudes are calculated.

What is Prime Meridian?

An element of geography that uses maps and other tools to understand the organization of people, places, and environments.

What is the world in spatial terms?

biggest difference between Mediterranean and steppe climates

cold winter weather for one and not the other

plate movement that causes land to "fold" into mountains

colliding plates

plate movement that causes volcanic islands to develop

colliding plates

What is the map term that means adjoining, touching or connected in an unbroken series?

contiguous

the process by which the earth's plates slowly move across the earth's upper mantle

continental drift

What is the term for the areas of continents that extend out into ocean water?

continental shelves

Outer layer of the earth's mantle

crust

Which portion of the earth is composed of many large, floating pieces?

crust

dry tropical climate

desert

What is the main cause of tsunamis?

displacement of large amounts of water

Cylindrical projections

distort large areas

equal are projections

distort shapes and angles

steppe and grassland

dry midlatitude climate

What natural disaster is liquefaction associated with?

earthquakes

What natural disaster is liquefaction often associated with?

earthquakes

What causes tsunamis?

earthquakes, volcanoes, oceanic landslides, or any event that displaces a large amount of water

19. Which part of the state is the most humid?

eastern

20. In which part of the state are more of the heavily populated counties found?

eastern

What is wind energy most often used for?

electricity

What is the main product that is produced using wind energy?

electricity.

Which of these processes removes some of the earth's crust?

erosion

solar energy

the heat and light of the sunny hot and very cold. Mercury orbits at a faster speed than any other planet.

Rivers are included in which sphere?

the hydrosphere

Canyons are a part of which sphere?

the lithosphere

What is most of the earth's mass is composed of?

the mantle

What causes earthquakes?

the movement of plates

A region with features different from areas around it.

What is Formal Region?

core

center of the earth

solar energy is

the heat and light of the sun

Name and define the three main types of economies.

(1) A subsistence economy, which is the most basic economic system. In this type of economy, people produce goods for their own use. (2) A command economy, which is controlled by the government. (3) A market economy, in which the people freely choose what they want to buy or sell.

Name some renewable energy sources.

-Wind (turbines) -Solar -Hydro-electric -Bio-fuels -Nuclear (cleanest, most dangerous) (None of these create any emissions)

If the earth continues to lose rain forests at the current rate, how long will it be before there are no rainforests left?

100 years

In which year did the greatest number of deaths due to tornados occur in Florida?

1962

How many counties in Idaho have a population of 1 to 9 people per square mile?

25

About how thick is the crust of the earth?

25 miles

Depth of the earth's crust

25 miles

The earth is usually categorized into how many spheres?

4

Beijing, China

40^@ N 115^@ E

According to map F, which population group has the fewest states?

493,782-999,999

About what percentage of the counties in Arizona have a population of less than 4-12 people per square mile?

50 percent

About what portion of the earth's plant and animal species live in the rain forests?

50%

Which of these Idaho population groups has the fewest number of counties?

51-87 people per square mile

About how many tornados were there in Florida during 1983?

85

What is a tidal bore?

A tidal bore occurs when incoming tides rush up rivers. Tidal bores, (also called tidal waves, which are not to be confused with tsunamis) are sometimes associated with areas that have particularly strong tides. Tidal bores form when an incoming tide rushes up a river; the ocean water flows in over the outgoing river water.

Where does about two-thirds of the earth's human population live?

About two-thirds of the population of the earth lives along coastal regions.

beaches

A beach is an expanse of sand or pebbles along a seashore that is washed by the tide and waves. Erosion often reduces beach width in winter when wind and wave action are more powerful and frequent. In summer, gentle wave action transports sediments that replenish the beach with sand. Most beach sand consists of light-colored quartz and feldspar sand grains—the result of weathering and erosion of rocks such as granite. Some beach sand comes directly from shoreline erosion, but much is created by the action of rivers flowing to the sea. Most beach sand contains fragments of smoothed and rounded shells from clams and other marine creatures. Tropical beaches often consist entirely of shell and coral fragments. Beaches in areas of volcanic activity can be black, where the sand was created by erosion of volcanic rock. There are several types of beaches found along the coasts of the United States. Common to northern California and Oregon is the narrow stretch of sand bounded by rolling surf and a rocky cliff mainland, called a spit. These beaches are located where waves break upon a coast of hard bedrock with little available sediment. The swash (wave uprush) and the return backwash carry pebble-size fragments ashore, while finer sand is washed to sea. Numerous beaches on the Atlantic Coast are of the spit type, such as New York's Coney Island where a narrow shoal extends seaward. This type of beach is created by wave action over a lengthy period. Beaches are a major attraction for coastal living. About two-thirds of the world's population lives within a narrow coastal belt that extends landward from the ocean's edge. In the United States, many large cities are located near or on an ocean shoreline or alongside one of the Great Lakes.

How many ecosystems can be a part of one biome?

A biome can contain many ecosystems

What are some examples of biomes?

A few examples of biomes are deserts, rainforests, marine or ocean biomes, tundra's, and savannah

Explain how a formal region might differ from a functional region.

A formal region is different from a functional region in that formal regions are limited to specific geographical areas and functional regions can include several geographical areas that have some element that connects them

Describe abyssal plains.

Abyssal plains are among the smoothest surfaces on the planet, with less than five feet of vertical variation for every mile. These level plains are the result of a constant rain of sediments.

abyssal plains

Abyssal plains are found next to the continental slopes at depths greater than 9,000 to 10,000 feet. They are areas of near-freezing water temperatures where there are no seasons or sunlight. The abyssal plains are regarded as the true ocean floor. The few marine inhabitants found in the region survive only because they have adapted to the hostile environment of bitter cold and immense pressure. Abyssal plains are among the smoothest surfaces on the planet, with less than five feet of vertical variation for every mile. These level plains are the result of a constant rain of sediments. These sediments, ranging from the remains of large marine life to microscopic particles, drift slowly downward and fill in depressions on the irregular, rocky ocean floor. Often, coastal sediments are washed down the continental slope as turbidity currents. (A turbidity current is a downward flow of suspended mud-like sediments. The descent is caused by gravity.) Sediments from large rivers reach the ocean floor primarily by way of submarine canyons, which cut through the continental slopes.

What do all deserts have in common?

All deserts have low precipitation.

location of highland climates

Alps or Rocky Mountains

Since altitude and latitude both have a big impact on climate, explain the difference between the two.

Altitude refers to the elevation of an object above sea level; mountains have high altitudes and valleys have lower altitudes. Latitude refers to the location on the earth; high latitudes are near the poles and low latitudes are near the equator.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a group of plants and animals that are dependent on one another for survival

elevation

Another way that the lithosphere affects climate is elevation, or the height of the earth's surface above sea level. Areas with lower elevation usually have warmer temperatures than neighboring areas with higher elevation. It is usually colder on a mountain top than it is in the valley below. It can be warm at the foot of a mountain while the top of the mountain is covered with snow. One of the hottest places on the face of the earth is Death Valley in California. The valley's average summer temperatures are over 100° F. One of the factors leading to the extreme heat is the valley's elevation. It is situated 282 feet below sea level. The low elevation and the valley's location cause the area to receive very little rain, averaging less than two inches per year.

precipitation-lithosphere affect

Another way that the lithosphere affects climate is its impact on precipitation levels. The shape of the lithosphere has a big influence on which areas receive precipitation. Look at Figure 4.3.2; the map shows precipitation levels in the US. Use the legend to find the areas that receive the most rain. On the east side of the country, notice how far inland the precipitation levels remain relatively high. Now look at the western side of the country. The northwest coast receives a significant amount of rain, but the pattern does not extend very far inland. What do you think explains this? One large factor is the mountainous nature of the western US. Deserts are often caused by the orographic effect, which is the cooling effect that happens when air is forced to rise so that it can go over a mountain. As the air rises, the water vapor condenses and precipitation occurs. This means all of the water gets dumped on one side of the mountain, creating a humid environment, and by the time the air reaches the other side of the mountain it no longer has any water vapor left in it. This creates a desert. Look at Figure 4.3.2 again. Notice how there is a dividing line down the continent where the dry desert air meets the humid air coming up from the Gulf of Mexico. The terrain across the central plains slopes downward from the Rocky Mountains towards the east. This slope makes a nice corridor for the dry air coming off the mountains to flow east. To the south, the Gulf of Mexico produces moist air that flows north. When the dry and moist air meet, a boundary line forms. It is along this line that a perfect environment sometimes exists for the creation of tornadoes. The area is often called Tornado Alley. There are more tornados in the US than anywhere else in the world because it has the right combination of terrain, water, and wind currents.

abyssal plains

Areas of the ocean floor that are distant from the oceanic ridges become sunken. These regions are the world's smoothest, flattest areas and are called abyssal plains.

rotation

As you know, rotation refers to the spinning of a planet on its axis. One complete turn is called a rotation; one Earth rotation takes twenty-four hours. From our perspective it looks like the sun is moving across the sky, and that is exactly what early humans thought happened. Now we know that the movement of the sun across the sky is caused by the earth's rotation. The earth rotates west-to-east, so the sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west. As the earth turns, the sun shines on about one-half of the earth, creating day, with the remainder of the earth experiencing night. If the rotation did not occur and the same side of the earth always faced the sun, that side of the earth would become incredibly hot. The side of the earth that would be facing away from the sun would be perpetually dark and very cold.

Milky Way

As you know, the sun is a star and it belongs to a galaxy called the Milky Way, which is the galaxy we live in.

latitude

As you will recall, the lithosphere is the solid part of the earth. It includes landforms like mountains and valleys. Landforms have a big influence on an area's weather and climate. You may not have thought about it before, but the location of a landform is probably the greatest factor to consider when it comes to determining the weather and climate of an area. As you learned earlier in the lesson, temperature can be affected by latitude. Landforms that are near the equator receive more solar energy than do landforms that are closer to the poles. The more solar energy an area receives, the warmer that area is. Can you find Australia on Figure 4.3.1? Now locate Greenland. Based on what you know about the relationship between temperature and latitude, what assumptions can you make about these two locations? Could you say that Australia is probably warmer than Greenland? Since Australia lies considerably closer to the equator than does Greenland, it is safe to assume that Australia is warmer.

Find Finland and India in the Figure below. Based on the latitude of the two countries, what assumption can you make about their climates?

Based on the latitude, Finland is probably colder than India

What is biodiesel made from?

Biodiesel is made from animal fat or vegetable oil.

Where are biomes found?

Biomes are found on landmasses and within bodies of water.

What is a biome?

Biomes are plant and animal communities that share similar environments.

Find the Isthmus of Panama and the Malay Peninsula on the map. Based on what you know about latitudes, climates, and oceans, what assumptions can you make about these two locations?

Both areas have moist climates.

How do the two most heavily populated counties compare with the remaining counties?

Both of the two most heavily populated counties are bordered by a county with a population of more than 22 people per square mile.

Pacific Ocean

By far the largest of the four oceans, the Pacific Ocean covers nearly one-third of the globe, or an area of approximately 64 million square miles. The land area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, covers less than 4 million square miles. The Pacific Ocean is immense. All the continents could be placed into it and there would still be room left over. Even with the many topographic features found on the seafloor, such as plateaus, ridges, trenches, and seamounts, it has an average depth of 13,000 feet. The Pacific Ocean is approximately 11,000 miles wide at the equator. Not only is the Pacific Ocean the largest and deepest, it is probably the most violent of all oceans. The Pacific Ocean has typhoons in the equatorial regions, nearly 300 active volcanoes which vent steam and smoke on its borders, and tidal waves that are periodically unleashed. Unlike the basin floors of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Pacific Ocean is characterized by the Central Pacific Trough. This feature extends from the Aleutian Islands southward to Antarctica and from Japan to the west coast of North America. The basin floors are not completely flat, and ridges and seamounts abound. Along with a number of deep ocean trenches, the Pacific Ocean has many flat-topped seamounts, or guyots. These are rarely found in other oceans.

caldera

Calderas are formed when volcanoes collapse, usually after much of the material in the magma chamber has been blown out. Calderas formed at the summit of stratovolcanoes may range in depth from a few hundred feet to several thousand feet. Formation of a caldera usually takes place late in the history of the volcano and often follows a long pause in activity during which the cone of the volcano may become deeply eroded. The caldera results not from explosive decapitation of the mountain, but when partial drainage of an underlying magma chamber removes support from beneath the top of the mountain, causing it to collapse. Although the destructive effects of volcanism (volcanic action or activity) are obvious, volcanoes also provide many benefits to mankind. They are the major contributors to the building of continents. All oceanic islands owe their origin directly or indirectly to volcanism. Over the billions of years of Earth's existence, volcanoes and hot springs near volcanic intrusions have released hot water from the earth's interior. This steam and hot water can be used to produce geothermal energy. Geothermal energy produces electricity inexpensively and with low environmental impact. Lava provides fertile soil in which crops such as pineapples, sugar cane, and coffee thrive. Lava erodes quickly in areas with adequate rainfall. In some cases, revegetation can begin in less than one year after the eruption. Lava flows are very fertile, especially if covered by ash. The fine ash particles retain water within reach of plant roots and release minerals, such as potassium, which plants need. Vegetation destroyed by falling ash often returns in a more luxuriant form. However, in areas where there is little rainfall, the erosion and breakdown of lava flows to form fertile soils can take thousands of years.

Compare oceanic canyons on the west and east coasts of the US; how are they different and how are they similar?

Canyons found off the east and west coasts of the United States both have the classic "V" profile with steep walls and rock outcroppings. East Coast canyons begin at the very edge of the landward side of the continental slope and extend seaward in an almost straight line. West Coast submarine canyons are extremely rugged, twisted, and begin less than 1,000 feet offshore because of the exceedingly narrow continental shelf.

Which statement describes carbon dioxide levels in the earth's atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide levels have increased by 30 percent in the past century.

How much of an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels has occurred in the last one hundred years?

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen 30 percent.

Arctic Ocean

Centered approximately on the North Pole, the Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's oceans, covering about 4,732,000 square miles. Maximum depth is 18,050 feet. The ocean is divided into two nearly equal basins: the Eurasia and the Amerasia. The Lomonosov Ridge extends from northeastern Greenland to central Siberia and separates the basins. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by the landmasses of Eurasia, North America, and Greenland, and is unlike the other three oceans because of the perennial ice cover. The extent of sea ice is seasonal between 60°N and 75°N latitude, but above 75°N it is relatively permanent. Ice cover reduces energy exchange with the atmosphere, resulting in reduced precipitation and cold temperatures. A unique feature of the ice fields of the Arctic Ocean was the discovery in 1946 of large-sized ice islands. One of the first major ice islands covered an area of more than 300 square miles. In later years, ice islands were extensively tracked to determine current movement. They were also used as scientific research sites for the study of polar meteorology and oceanography.1

Which statement best describes the population of Idaho?

Central Idaho is less populated than many other portions of the state.

Based on the picture and material in this lesson, what conclusions can you make?

China has a lower GDP than many other nations. Less people live in the interior than in the coastal regions of China.

What impact can access to coastal areas have on the economy of a nation?

Coastal regions can enable countries to develop trade because of easy access to shipping.

What is the difference between a hurricane and a cyclone?

Cyclones form in the Indian and Southern Pacific oceans; hurricanes form in the Atlantic.

On what day does the Arctic Circle receive no solar energy?

December 21

What day is the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere?

December 21

What is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere?

December 21

Flat Plane Projection (azimuthal and planar projections)

Description: A portion of the globe is shown on a flat projection so that if it were placed on a globe it would only touch the globe at one point. Advantages: •The direction from a central point, such as the north pole, is accurate. •Shows distances and areas accurately in relation to the central point •Accurate for use in navigation Disadvantages: •The direction and areas are only accurate in relationship to the central point. •It takes several flat projections to depict the entire earth. As shown in the examples below, flat plane projections can be placed anywhere on the globe, though the projection will always be calculated the center point.

Conic Projections

Description: Conic projections are designed as if a cone were placed over the world. Advantages: •good for depicting areas with large east-west dimensions, like the United States •accurate scale along a parallel line •can depict the entire earth on one map Disadvantage: •The scale is distorted from north to south.

cylindrical projection

Description: Cylindrical projections are designed as if a cylinder were wrapped around the world; both the longitude and latitude lines are straight and parallel. The example above might fit nicely around an empty paper towel roll. Notice that if a cylindrical projection were wrapped around a globe it would not touch the poles at either end unless it was crumpled up. Advantages: •Can be created on a flat piece of paper, making it convenient and inexpensive •Accurate for depicting small areas •Can depict the entire earth at once Disadvantages: •Distorts large areas •The areas near the poles appear larger than they really are. For example, South America is eight times larger than Greenland in reality, but on Figure 2.1.3 Greenland appears to be larger.

Equal-Area Projections

Description: Equal-area projections accurately depict the area of all regions of the earth at one time. This means that Greenland and South America are shown in correct proportion when compared to one another. Equal-area projections that portray the entire earth look as if someone has cut a globe and then attempted to smooth it out on a flat surface, which distorts the shape. The equal-area projection in Figure 2.1.7 focuses on the continents. Advantages: •Shows correct proportion of areas •Can depict the whole earth at once Disadvantage: •Distorts shape and angles

globe projection

Description: Globe projections are a spherical model of the earth. Advantages: •The most accurate way to depict the entire earth •Direction, shape, distances, and area can all be accurately represented Disadvantages: •Impossible to show great detail—even a globe the size of a football stadium would have minimal details •Expensive to make •Bulky to carry •Hard to store

Pseudocylindrical Projections

Description: The pseudocylindrical projection is an oval projection of the entire world. Pseudocylindrical projections are not really cylindrical, but like cylindrical projections they have latitude lines that are straight and parallel, and longitude lines that are equally spaced. However, on a pseudocylindrical projection only the central longitude line, or the prime meridian, is straight; all the other longitudinal meridians are curved. Advantages: •The scale is constant along any given latitude. •The sizes are less distorted than some other projections. Notice that Greenland does not appear quite as large in comparison to South America on Figure 2.1.4 as it does on Figure 2.1.3. •The entire earth can be depicted at once. Disadvantages: •No area of the map is completely free of distortion. •Shapes are more distorted than on many other projections.

orographic effect

Deserts are often caused by the orographic effect, which is the cooling effect that happens when air is forced to rise so that it can go over a mountain. As the air rises, the water vapor condenses and precipitation occurs. This means all of the water gets dumped on one side of the mountain, creating a humid environment, and by the time the air reaches the other side of the mountain it no longer has any water vapor left in it. This creates a desert.

spreading plate boundaries

Different types of movement cause different types of land formations. The spreading plate boundaries are mostly found on the ocean floor. Fresh lava pushes upward and forms new crust which pushes the plates apart and builds a chain of volcanoes called an oceanic ridge.

What are some drawbacks to collecting solar energy?

Drawbacks to collecting solar energy include the facts that the amount of solar energy an area receives varies, and a large area is required to collect solar energy at a useful rate.

What are some drawbacks of a wind power plant?

Drawbacks to wind plants include the large amount of space they need, the unattractiveness of the machinery, and the possible danger to birds.

How does La Niña affect the weather?

During La Niña, many areas receive less rain than usual.

earth

Earth is the third closest planet to the sun. It has one moon. The location of Earth, along with an atmosphere that is neither too thin nor too thick, means that its temperature is just right for us to survive. Seventy percent of Earth's surface is covered by water. The remaining thirty percent is covered by land, including mountains, volcanoes, deserts, plains, and valleys. It takes Earth 365 ¼ days to orbit the sun, and twenty-four hours to completely revolve on its axis. Things to remember about Earth: •Earth is the third closest planet to the sun. •Earth's atmosphere makes the temperature just right for us to survive. •Seventy percent of Earth's surface is covered by water. •Earth orbits the sun in 365 ¼ days. •Earth makes one rotation every twenty-four hours. •Earth has one moon.

earthquakes

Earthquakes are also common near plate boundaries and occur when forces are intense enough to break masses of rock inside the crust.

What types of interdependence exists within an ecosystem?

Ecosystems include an interdependence in many areas, including food sources, habitat, and in some cases, reproduction.

What event occurs when the eastern Pacific Ocean is warmer than normal?

El Niño

What event occurs when the eastern Pacific Ocean is warmer?

El Niño

Landforms that receive the most solar energy are located where on the earth?

Equatorial landmasses receive the most solar energy.

What natural occurrence wears away or destroys the earth's crust?

Erosion and weathering.

How did the biosphere impact the weather in the American Midwest in the 1930s?

Farmers plowed too much prairie sod.

Define the term "formal region" and provide an example.

Formal region: an area or region with features that make it different from surrounding areas. Some examples of formal regions could include: (1) an island, (2) a mining community, (3) a desert, and (4) a community in the US where the primary language is not English.

How do temperatures contribute to erosion?

Freezing and cooling can cause rocks to deteriorate.

How do temperatures contribute to erosion?

Freezing and heating cycles cause rocks to break into smaller pieces.

Define the term "functional region" and provide an example.

Functional region: a region that is made up of different places that are linked and function as a unit. Review lesson 8.1Some examples of functional regions could include: (1) a city and its outlying suburbs, (2) a mass transit system built around a hub, (3) a country and its territories that function as a political or economic unit, and (4) a group that shares a language or a religion.

What does the term GDP mean?

GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product; it refers to the total amount of goods and products produced by a nation.

What is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere?

June 21

How do glaciers change the surface of the earth?

Glaciers cut valleys and mountain peaks.

Where are some good places for electricity-producing wind plants?

Good sites for wind plants are the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, mountain gaps, and offshore

What are some things that destroy ecosystems?

Human activities and natural disasters sometimes destroy ecosystems.

What are some ways that humans cause desertification?

Humans sometimes over-cultivate areas or engage in other damaging agricultural practices, such as placing too many domestic animals in an area, which results in overgrazing. Humans also remove vegetation for fuel or building material.

Where are hurricanes and cyclones most likely to form?

Hurricanes form in the Atlantic Ocean; cyclones form in the South Pacific.

What might the consequences be if one element of an ecosystem is destroyed?

If one element of an ecosystem is destroyed, then other members of the ecosystem might not survive

If the earth continues to lose rainforests at the current rate, how long will it be before there are no rainforests left?

If the earth continues to lose rainforests at the current rate, it will be about one hundred years before there are no rainforests left

If the rainforests disappear, what consequences might we expect to see?

If the rainforests disappear, nearly half of the earth's plant and animal species could also disappear. A negative impact on the quality of the atmosphere might occur. A renewable source of energy might also permanently disappear.

tilt

Imagine that the earth has a rod running through it from its North Pole to its South Pole, like this: The rod represents the earth's axis. If the axis always pointed straight up and down in relationship to the sun, then no matter where you were on the earth every day would last exactly twelve hours and every night would last exactly twelve hours. However, the earth's axis does not point straight up and down in relationship to the sun; instead, it points directly at a star called the North Star. This means that sometimes the North Pole points towards the sun and sometimes it points away from the sun. As Earth revolves around the sun, it is tilted on its orbit as shown in the animation below. Because of the tilt, different areas of the earth receive different amounts of sunlight, or solar energy, during the year. The amount of solar energy that any location of the earth receives also depends on where the earth is in its orbit and in its rotation.

an area where two continental plates are currently colliding

India and Asia

Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable energy sources?

It has taken from before the dinosaur age until now for them to form.

Is it usually warmer or colder at high elevations?

It is usually colder at high elevations.

What are five things to remember about Jupiter?

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun. It is the largest planet in the solar system. It is mostly made of gas. There is a big storm on Jupiter called the Great Red Spot. It has more than thirty-eight moons.

jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet. In fact, it is so large that all of the other planets in the solar system could fit inside it. It is a gas planet, and the clouds surrounding it change colors daily. Gas swirls around in Jupiter's atmosphere; one very large area of swirling gas is called the Great Red Spot. Scientists believe that the spot is a large hurricane-like storm that has lasted for hundreds of years. The atmosphere also has large bolts of lightning. Jupiter has at least thirty-eight moons, and it might have as many as sixty-three. Jupiter shines very brightly in the sky because its thick clouds reflect sunlight. Things to remember about Jupiter: •Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun. •Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. •Jupiter is mostly made of gas. •There is a big storm on Jupiter called the Great Red Spot. •Jupiter has more than thirty-eight moons.

Which lake is the largest in the world?

Lake Superior is the largest lake in the world.

How did Lake Victoria form?

Lake Victoria is located in a depression caused by spreading plates near the Great Rift. More than half of the water comes from rain falling directly into the lake; the remainder comes from tributaries.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, located in Africa, is the world's second largest freshwater lake. This lake was formed quite differently from the Great Lakes. Its formation is connected to the development of the Great Rift Valley that you learned about in lesson 5. As you will recall, a rift valley is formed when two tectonic plates pull away from one another. The lake formed in a low-lying area that developed as the land stretched. The Nile River runs through portions of the Great Rift Valley and receives much of its water from Lake Victoria. The lake gets more than half of its water from rain; the rest of its water comes from streams and rivers that empty into it.

What are two sources of lake water?

Lake water comes from tributaries, such as streams and rivers; it also comes from rain falling directly on the lakes.

types of lakes

Lakes are critical for the survival of many life forms, including human beings. These bodies of water are formed in many different ways; some are formed where glaciers scarred the earth, and others are formed in basins that are created by tectonic forces. Lakes can be salt or fresh water, deep or shallow. A lake by definition is a large inland body of standing water. So the salty Caspian Sea, the largest inland body of water in the world is actually considered a lake. Let's take a look at a few of the most prominent lakes on the earth.

What is usually the main force that removes water from basins that do not have an outlet?

Lakes that do not have an outlet typically empty by evaporation.

Rank the four oceans according to size. Which is the largest? Which is the smallest?

Largest to Smallest: 1) Pacific Ocean (largest by far) 2) Atlantic Ocean 3) Indian Ocean 4) Artic Ocean

Are humans part of an ecosystem? Explain.

Like all living things, humans depend on other living things to survive; therefore, they are part of ecosystems.

ocean currents

Like the atmosphere, the oceans have currents that have an impact on temperature. The currents are like rivers running through the oceans. They usually flow in a curricular pattern. In the Northern Hemisphere, the currents rotate clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere they rotate counterclockwise. The movement of the currents helps moderate ocean temperatures. The water moves between the polar and equilateral regions, warming as it moves through the tropics and cooling in the polar regions. Warm ocean currents make nearby coastal regions warmer and cold ocean currents make nearby coastal regions cooler.

Do low pressure areas typically have warmer air or colder air than high pressure areas?

Low pressure areas are generally warmer than high pressure areas.

Do high pressure zones generally receive the most precipitation, or do low pressure zones?

Low pressure zones usually receive the most precipitation.

Find Madagascar and Cape Horn on the map. Based on what you know about the relationship between climate and latitude, what assumptions can you make about these two locations?

Madagascar has a warmer climate than Cape Horn.

Why are so many volcanoes on islands?

Many islands are formed from volcanoes.

What impact do some scientists predict global warming will have on the earth?

Many scientists predict that global warming could cause the following; polar caps could melt, sea levels could rise, and warmer ocean water could result in more frequent and stronger hurricanes. In some areas, deserts could become larger.

political maps

Maps which show government boundaries, such as countries, states, or counties are referred to as political maps. Though political boundaries sometimes follow natural boundaries, like rivers or mountain ranges, most political boundaries are invisible lines that have been created by government organizations. The political map below includes both natural and artificial boundaries which, when combined, create the state boundaries of Alaska. Areas may include many different types of political boundaries. For instance, the United States is divided into states, the states are divided into counties, and counties have political divisions such as cities and towns. Each of these boundaries are political boundaries. Voting or congressional districts, as well as school districts, are also examples of political boundaries.

Which economies are typically richest?

Market economies are typically the richest type of economy

mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. Mars is extremely cold, and like the earth it has ice caps on its poles. Much of the ice is carbon dioxide, or dry ice, but the thickness of the ice makes scientists believe that there are also thick layers of water ice in the ice caps. Dry riverbeds on the planet indicate that Mars was once warm enough to have liquid water. Sometimes Mars is called the red planet; this is because the planet's soil has so much iron in it that it is red. The surface of Mars is covered with craters from meteorites and asteroids, and Mars has some of the tallest volcanoes and deepest valleys in our solar system. Mars also has two potato-shaped moons; the moons were probably once asteroids that were captured by Mars' gravitational pull. We have a little bit of Mars right here on Earth; some of the meteorites that have hit the earth are pieces of Mars. Things to remember about Mars: •Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. •Mars is extremely cold. •Once there was liquid water on Mars. •Mars has two moons. •Earth has been hit by "Martian meteorites."

mercury

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and it is the smallest planet in the solar system. Mercury not only has the smallest orbit of any planet in our solar system, but it orbits at a faster speed than any other planet. Since it moves so quickly, it was named after a figure from ancient Roman mythology: Mercury, the messenger of the gods with winged feet. Mercury can only be seen from Earth just before sunrise or right after sunset, but never in the middle of the night. This is because from Earth, Mercury is very near the sun, and so when the earth rotates away from the sun it also rotates away from Mercury. Mercury does not have much atmosphere. Since atmosphere helps regulate a planet's temperature, the surface of Mercury is very hot on the side facing the sun and very cold on the side facing away from the sun. The surface of Mercury is covered with craters where meteorites and asteroids have crashed into it. Things to remember about Mercury: •Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. •Mercury is the smallest planet. •Mercury has a thin atmosphere. •Mercury has extreme temperatures—very hot and very cold.

What are four things to remember about Mercury?

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It is the smallest planet. It has a thin atmosphere. It has extreme temperatures: very hot and very cold. Mercury orbits at a faster speed than any other planet.

Which factor probably has the greatest impact on the temperatures of both South Dakota and Michigan?

Michigan and South Dakota are located at about the same latitude.

Do more people live in high latitudes or midlatitudes?

More people live in the midlatitudes.

What conclusions might we draw by comparing the two maps? Q. 18

More people live in wetter climates.

Where does most of the oil come from that is found in ocean waters?

Most of the oil found in ocean waters comes from natural seepage

How are mountain climates important in the midlatitudes?

Mountains store water as snow; as the snow melts it provides water.

What happened to the North American rainforest in the early 1900s?

Much of the rainforest was cut down to clear land for agriculture and lumber.

Explain why my perception and your perception of the South might differ.

My perception of the South is based on my experiences and your perception is based on your experiences. Since I live in Utah, I might think of the South as Texas, and Arizona as the Southwest. However someone who lives in Maine might consider Texas as being a part of the Southwest, or maybe they would view Texas as part of the Midwest. Perceptional regions are based on viewpoints.

Which of the following statements is true?

Neptune has very little wind. X Neptune has dark spots that are probably storms. Neptune has a big white spot that is probably a hurricane.

What are some examples of products that, when burned, add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

Oil, gas, and coal produce carbon dioxide emissions.

neptune

Neptune is another gas planet, and like Uranus it is green-blue in color. Neptune has the strongest winds of all the planets. This planet's winds blow at more than 1242 miles an hour! The large, dark circles on its surface are believed to be storms. Neptune has two thick rings and two thin rings, and at least eight moons. Four of these moons orbit the planet within the rings. One of the moons orbits the planet in the opposite direction of the seven other moons. Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. Things to remember about Neptune: •Neptune is the planet farthest from the sun. •Neptune is a gas planet. •Neptune has the strongest wind of all the planets. •Neptune has dark spots that are probably storms. •One of Neptune's moons orbits in the opposite direction from its other moons.

venus

Next to Mercury is Venus. Venus and Earth are just about the same size and Venus is our closest planetary neighbor, but the two planets are quite different. For one thing, Venus does not have oceans. Another big difference is the temperature; the temperature of Venus reaches over 900 degrees Fahrenheit during the day! Unlike Mercury, Venus has a thick atmosphere made of rapidly spinning clouds. The clouds hold the heat in, which is why Venus gets so hot. There are constant thunderstorms in the atmosphere. The clouds also reflect sunlight, which makes Venus appear very bright. Venus is so bright that it is called the Morning and Evening Star. Like Mercury, the surface of Venus is covered with craters that were made by meteorites and asteroids when they crashed into the planet. Venus also has volcanoes. Venus (and Uranus) rotate clockwise, which is the opposite direction of all the other planets in the solar system, and it rotates so slowly on its axis that one Venus day is longer than one Venus year! Things to remember about Venus: •Venus is Earth's closest neighboring planet. •Venus is about the same size as Earth. •Venus has a thick, hot atmosphere. •Venus is bright. •Venus rotates in the opposite direction from all the other planets.

Where are the largest temperate rain forests in the world located?

Northwest coast of North America

Is cold ocean water a factor in the creation of hurricanes?

Ocean water must be warmer than 80° F for a hurricane to form.

tropical storms

Oceans play a critical role in the development of some of the earth's wildest storms. Hurricanes always form over ocean water that has a temperature of at least 80° F. Hurricanes usually start when a cluster of thunderstorms move across the ocean. Sometimes the low atmospheric pressure that occurs because of the warm water temperatures combines with the dense, humid air of the thunderstorms, which causes the air in the atmosphere to begin spinning. When this happens, it is called a tropical storm. About 5 percent of tropical storms become so powerful that they are classified as tropical cyclones. Storms like this which affect the US usually originate in the Atlantic Ocean and are called hurricanes. However, when these types of storms occur in the western Pacific Ocean, they are called typhoons. When they occur in the Indian and Southern Pacific oceans, they are called cyclones. Tropical cyclones always have an "eye" of calm winds and low pressure surrounded by high winds and high pressure.

the sun: most powerful neighbor

Our largest neighbor, the sun, has a tremendous impact on the earth. Most of Earth's energy is drawn from the sun. The heat and light of the sun reach Earth and provide solar energy. Solar energy affects weather and all types of life. There are three relationships between the earth and the sun that determine how much solar energy is received at various locations on Earth. Let's look at all three.

How much of the earth's surface is covered by ocean water?

Over 70%

About what portion of the earth's plant and animal species live in the rainforests?

Over half of all the species in the world live in the rainforest.

What is the name of the super continent that scientists believe the current continents once belonged to?

Pangea

the super-continent that scientists believe existed early in the earth's history

Pangea

Define the term "perceptual region" and provide an example.

Perceptual region: a region that is reflective of human feelings and attitudes. Some examples of perceptual regions are: (1) phrases such as the Midwest or back home, that do not have the same meaning to everyone--areas that are viewed in different ways by different groups of people, and (2) an example given in the lesson is Africa, but almost any place can be a perceptual region. Some people may perceive that the US is the same everywhere, while others may view the country as broken down into very distinct areas.

Can plants and animals belong to more than one ecosystem?

Plants and animals may be a part of more than one ecosystem.

converging plate boundaries

Plates collide along continental edges and on ocean floors. When a plate carrying a continent collides with an oceanic plate, the oceanic plate goes under the continental plate because oceanic plates are heavier than continental plates. When oceanic plates collide with continental plates, the oceanic plate slides under the continental shelf. When this happens, the continent may buckle or develop folds. Folds are places where rocks are bent and become mountains. Another result of the colliding plates can be the development of faults. Faults are areas where the plates break apart and move away from each other. Plate collisions can also cause volcanoes to occur.

pluto

Pluto used to be classified as a gas planet, but it is so small that in August of 2006 scientists decided it is not really big enough to count as a planet. Pluto is 1485 miles in diameter and our moon is about 2159 miles in diameter. Even though Pluto isn't officially a planet, it has a moon called Charon which is half the size of Pluto. Some scientists think that Pluto might have been one of Neptune's moons that escaped its orbit. Things to remember about Pluto: •It is too small to be considered a planet. •Pluto is smaller than our moon. •Pluto is only twice as big as its moon. •Pluto might have been one of Neptune's moons.

Are populations generally more dense in coastal areas or inland?

Populations are generally denser in coastal areas.

precipitation

Precipitation is another facet of the hydrosphere that impacts climates. Clouds, rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all part of the hydrosphere. Most water vapor that becomes precipitation is evaporated from the oceans, though smaller amounts also come from rivers, lakes, soil, and vegetation. The amount of precipitation an area receives greatly determines its climate. Desert areas receive very little precipitation, whereas rainforests receive a great deal of precipitation. In general, low pressure areas receive more precipitation while high pressure areas receive less precipitation.

Name some aspects of the US economy that are also found in command economies.

Programs such as welfare, housing programs, farm subsidies, and Social Security are controlled by the government rather than being controlled by market forces.

What factors can lead to landslides?

Rainfall combined with factors like fire or development can cause landslides.

What are some examples of cultural traits?

Religion, Music, Chopsticks, Sanskrit

What are some advantages of using renewable energy sources?

Renewable energy sources will not run out. Using wind or solar energy does not diminish the amount of wind or solar energy available; as long as the sun continues shining, both sources will be available. Many renewable sources are clean and do not pollute the environment. Sources such as wind, solar energy, and water do not need to be transported to a power plant, whereas coal and other fuels do.

What are three ways that water can cause erosion?

Rivers and streams can cut through soil and rock, rainfall can erode areas, and waves can wash away coastal regions.

What are some things people are doing to prevent desertification?

Sand fences are being used to prevent further desertification in some areas. Trees and grasses are being planted along the borders of deserts to hold back the sand. Boulders and petroleum are being used to prevent sand from moving. Oases and farmlands are being protected by planting trees for windbreaks. In China, a 3500-mile-long tree wall is being planted to hold desert sands in place.

saturn

Saturn is a large gas planet encircled by over 1000 rings made of ice and dust. Some of the particles are little pebble-size things and others are as big as houses. The particles probably came from moons that were circling the planet and were smashed by comets and meteorites, but Saturn still has at least thirty moons. Saturn spins very rapidly on its axis; in fact, it spins so fast that it is flattened out on the top and bottom and bulges at its equator. The fast rotation means that one day on Saturn lasts just a little more than ten hours. The atmosphere is very windy, and the winds can blow at more than 1118 miles per hour! The white spots on Saturn are probably powerful storms. Things to remember about Saturn: •Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. •Saturn is a large gas planet. •Saturn is encircled by over 1000 rings. •Saturn rotates very quickly. •There are powerful winds and storms on Saturn's surface. •Saturn has at least thirty moons.

Which country produces the most crude oil?

Saudi

Which is the top oil-producing country?

Saudi Arabia

Which ocean do scientists know the most about?

Scientists know the most about the Atlantic Ocean.

Which oceanic features are formed by volcanic activity?

Seamounts and oceanic ridges are all formed through volcanic activity.

seamounts

Seamounts are isolated mountains rising from 3,000 to 10,000 feet above the surrounding seabed. Shaped like cones, they have a characteristic depression similar to a crater at the summit. Samplings gathered from over fifty seamounts found evidence that indicates they are of volcanic origin. Seamounts are found in all oceans, but are more numerous in the Pacific Ocean with over 2,000 identified. They are especially abundant in the Gulf of Alaska. The Cobb Seamount, discovered in 1950, is in a chain of seamounts that extends into the Gulf of Alaska. Located just 270 miles off the coast of Washington, it is one of the most thoroughly explored of all seamounts. Cobb rises from a depth of nearly 9,000 feet to within 124 feet of the surface. Because of relatively shallow depth and good lighting conditions, divers have explored and mapped most of the twenty-three acre flat top. The closest land feature similar to the seamount is a volcano that rises upwards from surrounding flatlands.

What day is the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere?

September 22

Is it accurate to say that people are less likely to settle where there are severe weather patterns such as hurricanes and tornados?

Settlement patterns are not greatly affected by severe weather patterns.

mid-ocean ridges

Several mid-ocean ridges are longer than the longest mountain ranges on Earth. They are tall as well, rising to 12,000 feet above the ocean floor, and their peaks penetrate the ocean's surface to form islands such as Iceland and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean and the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the ridges crest at a depth of about 8,000 feet and their width varies from 500 to 1,500 miles. Unlike typical continental mountain ranges that have a singular, pronounced line of peaks, oceanic ridges have two lines of peaks separated by a prominent depression known as a rift valley. This valley ranges from fifteen to thirty miles in width and cradles an active seismic belt.

shield volcanoes

Shield volcanoes have hot, runny magma that produces broad, gentle volcanoes. All the volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands are examples of this type of volcano. While such flows are not especially dangerous to humans, they can destroy buildings and agricultural land.

What are some reasons that Siberia is not heavily populated?

Siberia is located at high latitude; this means that the temperatures are cold and there is a very short growing season.

prevailing winds

Some areas have winds that blow from the same direction most of the time. These are called prevailing winds. In the northern US, the prevailing winds are called westerlies because the wind flows generally from the west towards the east. The prevailing winds significantly impacted early shipping routes because the ships relied on wind power to move across the oceans.

solar energy and the seasons

Some areas of the earth stay about the same temperature all year round. Other areas experience a wide variety of temperatures. The areas near the equator receive a lot of solar energy all year round. This means it is almost always warm in these areas. The areas near the poles get very little solar energy; these areas are almost always cold. The areas between the equator and the poles receive various amounts of solar energy, depending on the angle of the earth. This is because direct solar rays heat the surface of the earth more than angled solar rays.

How is beach sand formed?

Some beach sand comes directly from shoreline erosion, but much is created by the action of rivers flowing to the sea. Most beach sand contains fragments of smoothed and rounded shells of clams and other marine creatures. Tropical beaches often consist entirely of shell and coral fragments. Beaches in areas of volcanic activity can be black, where the sand was created by erosion of volcanic rock.

Why aren't all lakes freshwater lakes?

Some lakes collect minerals, such as salt, because the water evaporates instead of escaping through an outlet.

Why don't some lakes have an outlet?

Some lakes do not have enough water pouring into them to erode away the bank and create an outlet for the water to escape through.

population maps

Some maps are specifically designed to show the population of the people living in certain areas. These maps may represent the population as a whole or portray various aspects of the population.

What are some activities that are currently diminishing tropical rainforests?

Some of the activities that are diminishing tropical rainforests include the clearing of forest land to use as small farms, commercial agricultural projects, logging, using rainforest as pastureland, and mining operations.

Can you think of some disadvantages of not developing technology to harness renewable energy sources? What are they?

Some of the things you might have thought of include the following: If we do not develop the technology to harness renewable energy sources, we run the risk of running out of nonrenewable energy sources. We might also further damage the environment by using some renewable energy sources irresponsibly. In the US we must depend on other nations for a large portion of our nonrenewable energy sources, and failure to develop other sources might make the country vulnerable.

road maps

Some road maps cover large areas and only include major roads. Others cover small areas and include all of the roads and trails in an area.

Do all scientists agree that carbon dioxide emissions created by humans are changing the weather cycles?

Some scientists believe the warming trend is part of a natural cycle.

stratovolcanoes

Stratovolcanoes are steep and conical with explosive eruptions. Sudden, violent blasts can send particles as far as twenty miles high and many miles away from the volcano. The erupted material can range in size from tiny particles of ash to boulders the size of houses. Commonly there is little, if any, lava extruded. Such eruptions can be very dangerous and even deadly. Because they erupt infrequently, unpredictably, and violently, and because they occur in populated areas, these explosive volcanoes pose the greatest danger to humans.

Which economies are typically poorest?

Subsistence economies are typically the poorest type of economy.

What is the definition of a "sea"?

Technically, a sea is a subdivision of an ocean.

What changes have occurred in the earth's climate in the last century?

Temperatures have increased; ocean levels have increased.

Which ocean has no areas located in the midlatitudes?

The Arctic Ocean

How is the Arctic Ocean different from the other three oceans?

The Arctic Ocean is mostly frozen.

In this lesson you learned that Antarctica is the world's largest desert. Think back to previous lessons to answer this question: why isn't the Arctic considered a desert?

The Arctic is not a desert because it is not a landmass; it is made of mostly of ice.

The Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake

The Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake both formed in basins. This means that like Lake Victoria, they formed in low lying areas of continents where precipitation and runoff from higher elevations, along with rain or snow, begin to puddle up and collect. Unlike Lake Victoria, the amount of water that fills the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake is relatively low, so the water pressure is not strong enough to cut outlets such as streams or rivers to drain the area. Evaporation is the main force that removes water from their basins. The water that runs into the basins brings a lot of minerals, including salt. Since minerals do not evaporate with the water, these lakes become salty. Both the Dead Sea and Great Salt Lake are very salty. The salt collects on the soil as the level of the lakes rise and fall. Because of the amount of salt in the water, objects floating in these water bodies experience extra buoyancy!

How far south does the Indian Ocean stretch?

The Indian Ocean stretches to Antarctica.

How do lakes such as the Dead Sea form?

The Dead Sea formed in a low-lying area from precipitation runoff.

The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Basin was formed by glacier activity. The continental glaciers repeatedly moved over what is now the Great Lakes region as they thawed and melted. As the huge glaciers inched forward, they scoured the surface of the earth and leveled hills. Small valleys created by the river systems of the previous era were deepened and enlarged to form the basins for what are now the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes and their connecting channels form the largest surface freshwater system on Earth. If you stood on the moon, you could see the lakes. The Great Lakes, in their current state, are one of the youngest natural features on the North American continent. Covering more than 94,000 square miles and draining more than twice as much land, these freshwater seas hold an estimated six quadrillion gallons of water, or about one-fifth of the world's surface freshwater supply and nine-tenths of the US supply. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, and if you are measuring surface area, is the largest freshwater lake in the world

How were the Great Lakes formed?

The Great Lakes were formed when glaciers dug gouges into the earth.

Why do heavy concentrations of minerals collect in the Great Salt Lake but not in Lake Superior?

The Great Salt Lake collects water from precipitation runoff. The runoff collects minerals and carries them to the lake. The water pools in the lake and eventually evaporates, leaving the minerals behind. Lake Superior is fed by many streams and rivers and receives large amounts of water, and the continual flow prevents mineral buildup from occurring.

What physical barrier lies between India and the rest of Asia?

The Himalayan Mountains are located between India and the rest of Asia.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is often thought of incorrectly as a tropical ocean. The Indian Ocean stretches southward to Antarctica. It is triangular and bordered by Africa, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia. Although it covers about 28.5 million square miles, it is smaller than the Atlantic Ocean and less than half the size of the Pacific Ocean. The maximum width is 6,200 miles between the southernmost portions of Africa and Australia. The Indian Ocean contains about 20 percent of the earth's water surface. Many island nations are found within the boundaries of this ocean: Madagascar, which is the world's fourth largest island, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. The average depth of the Indian Ocean is about 12,750 feet. The deepest is 24,440 feet in the Java Trench in the extreme northeast corner of the basin. The Indian Ocean, like the Atlantic Ocean, is divided by a mid-ocean ridge, the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge, which separates the basin into nearly equal portions. The ocean's continental shelves are narrow, averaging 125 miles in width except off Australia's western coast where it broadens to 600 miles.

The Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean climate is also found in the midlatitudes. This climate has a very long, dry summer with a wet winter. Like the steppe, the Mediterranean climate is not quite a desert, but it is still quite dry, usually receiving only about seventeen inches of rain per year. The biggest difference between the Mediterranean and steppe climates is the temperature. This is because Mediterranean climate zones are located along coastal regions and receive the moderating influence of ocean currents, so there is not a wide range between winter and summer temperatures. As you might expect, the Mediterranean climate is found along the coastal zones of the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, as well as in central and southern California. Western and southern Australia and the Chilean coast in South America also have Mediterranean climates.

Which pole is pointed towards the sun when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

The North Pole

What did the US government do to help solve the problem? -The Dust Bowl

The US government paid farmers to implement new farming techniques to solve the problem of dust storms.

What main type of economy is found in the US?

The US is primarily a market economy.

What physical barrier lies between Europe and Asia?

The Ural Mountains divide Europe and Asia.

polar climates

The coldest climates on Earth are the polar climates in the polar regions. The north and south polar regions are really quite different from one another. The Arctic (in the north) is made of an ice cap sitting in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. In the summer months, as the temperature increases, the cap melts slightly around the edges. At the opposite end of the world sits Antarctica, and as you probably know, Antarctica is a not just an ice cap, but is instead a continent. The North Pole sits in the center of the Arctic, and the South Pole sits in the center of Antarctica. Which pole do you think gets colder? Remember that areas which are surrounded by water are more temperate than areas deep within a continent. This means that it is colder at the South Pole than it is at the North Pole. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was at the South Pole where it was once -128.6° F.

continental shelf

The continental shelf, the region from the coastline to the edge of the continental slope, covers about eight percent of the global seafloor area. The continental shelf is a national asset for most nations. It is a source of fish, both commercial and sport, and in some areas it is also a source of oil and natural gas. Shelves are not of uniform width. They vary considerably in size off the coasts of the United States. They are almost negligible along Southern California's coast and Florida's southeast coast. Off Florida's west coast, however, the shelf extends 200 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. The average width worldwide is about forty miles. Continental shelves look like the adjacent land. Coastal areas that are mountainous will have a continental shelf with similar features, which is the case off Southern California. Coastal areas dominated by low hills or plains are likely to have a shelf of nearly flat plains or low hills. This is observed along most of the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Shelves off the mouths of larger rivers, such as the Mississippi, are usually broad with a large mud base of continental sediments. Continental shelves along the coasts of the United States cover an area of about 891,000 square miles. Alaska's continental shelf alone occupies over 591,000 square miles. The Atlantic Coast's continental shelf covers 140,000 square miles, about equal to the land mass areas of New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania combined. The Gulf of Mexico's continental shelf covers 135,000 square miles, nearly the same area as Nebraska and Iowa combined. The continental shelf off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington covers 25,000 square miles.

grassland climate

The grassland climates receive a little more rain, usually about thirty-two inches per year. Look at the map again and find the areas that receive between twenty and thirty inches of rain. As you can see, the US has a narrow band of grassland climate. Europe and northern China are other areas that have dry midlatitude climates.

How are the Mediterranean and grasslands climates different?

The grasslands climate has colder winter seasons and receives more precipitation than the Mediterranean climate.

Why does the moon affect the earth's tides?

The gravitational pull of the moon acts as a magnet on the waters of the earth, pulling them toward it.

Have the great deserts of the earth significantly grown or shrunk because of human activities?

The great deserts of the world seem to grow and shrink cyclically, regardless of human activity.

continental slopes and canyons

The continental slope gradually rises from the abyssal plains, but it climbs as steeply as 45 degrees as it approaches land. In some areas, the slope is interrupted by broad wedges of sediment deposits called continental rises. Continental slopes are often gouged by deep valleys or submarine canyons, many with the same proportions as the Grand Canyon. While most canyons were originally formed during the last Ice Age, some are the result of earthquakes. Canyons found off the east and west coasts of the United States are similar in one respect: they both have the classic "V" profile with steep walls and rock outcroppings. East Coast canyons of the United States begin at the very edge of the landward side of the continental slope and extend to seaward in an almost straight line. The Hudson Canyon off Long Island, New York, is the best known and studied canyon on the East Coast. It was first identified in 1864. The canyon begins as a shallow valley crossing the continental shelf. The axis of the canyon then trails down the continental slope for a distance of about fifty miles. The greatest wall height is about 4,000 feet at a depth of 6,000 feet. West Coast submarine canyons are noticeably different from those on the East Coast. They are extremely rugged, twisted, and begin less than 1,000 feet offshore. This is due to the exceedingly narrow continental shelf. Monterey Canyon is the deepest, largest, and most thoroughly studied canyon on the West Coast. It starts near Moss Landing, California, at a depth of fifty feet. The canyon, with walls up to 6,000 feet, extends seaward for more than sixty miles. It terminates at a depth of about 10,000 feet.

continental shelves

The continents extend out into shallow ocean water; these areas are called continental shelves or margins. Where these shelves end, the ocean floor drops down to the abyssal plains. Perhaps you have heard the phrase "falling into the abyss." The words "abyss" or "abyssal" mean "too deep to measure." As you might guess, the abyssal plains are dark and murky places.

mantle

The core is surrounded by the earth's mantle. Most of the earth's mass is included in the mantle. The outer twenty-five miles of the mantle make up the earth's crust. Although twenty-five miles might sound like a pretty thick crust, it is really very thin when compared to the depth of the mantle, which is almost 4,000 miles thick. The earth's crust is not a solid shell; instead it is broken into huge pieces that float on top of the soft underlying mantle.

If it is 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Sydney, Australia, what time is it in Moscow, Russia?

The correct answer is 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday

If it is 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in Cape Town, South Africa, what time is it in Chicago, Illinois?

The correct answer is 6:00 a.m. on Sunday

If it is 2:00 p.m. on Friday in Honolulu, Hawaii, what time is it in Santiago, Chile?

The correct answer is 8:00 p.m. on Friday

If it is 9:00 a.m. on Monday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, what time is it in Tokyo, Japan?

The correct answer is 9:00 p.m. on Monday

Do the areas with a low population density occur more in areas of high precipitation or low precipitation?

The correct answer is: Areas of low population occur more in areas of low precipitation.

What changes have occurred in the economies of countries that were once part of the Soviet Union?

The countries that were once part of the Soviet Union have switched from command economies to market economies.

Describe ocean currents.

The currents are like rivers running through the oceans. They usually flow in a circular pattern. In the Northern Hemisphere the currents rotate clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere they rotate counterclockwise.

plate tectonics

The earth's outer surface is shaped by forces such as volcanoes and earthquakes. Although no one completely understands all of the forces that shape the earth, the theory of plate tectonics is one way scientists explain the forces that create the planet's landforms. The easiest way to visualize this theory is to imagine the cracked shell of a hard-boiled egg. Like a cracked egg, the outer shell or crust of the earth has cracks that divide the surface into more than a dozen pieces. The pieces, which are actually rock formations, move very slowly, usually less than an inch every year. Along the cracks, or boundaries, stresses such as bending and breaking periodically occur.

How much has the earth's average temperature increased during the last century?

The earth's temperature has raised 1°F.

low latitude climates

The first group we will look at is the low latitude climates. Remember that the equator is 0° and this is the lowest latitude that exists, so the lower the latitude of a location, the closer it is to the equator. Because low latitudes are near the equator, the low latitude climates are warm climates. There are three major subgroups in this group.

tropical moist climates

The first subgroup is tropical moist climates. This is the climate of a beach vacation. The African Congo and the Amazon in South America also share this climate. You can expect rain almost every day in this climate, but the average temperature is about 80° F year-round.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the process that traps heat in the atmosphere.

solar energy

The heat and light of the sun reach Earth and provide solar energy. Solar energy affects weather and all types of life. There are three relationships between the earth and the sun that determine how much solar energy is received at various locations on Earth. Let's look at all three.

Atlantic Ocean

The hourglass-shaped Atlantic Ocean covers approximately 20 percent of the earth's surface and is the second largest of the four oceans. It extends from the North Pole southward for 10,000 miles to the Antarctic continent and covers 41 million square miles. Width of the Atlantic Ocean varies from 1,769 miles between Brazil and Liberia and approximately 3,000 miles between Norfolk, Virginia, and Gibraltar. More is known about the Atlantic Ocean than any other ocean because of heavy commercial and military ship traffic connecting Europe and North America. Average depth is 12,000 feet and the greatest depth is 28,374 feet in the Puerto Rico Trench. If Alaska's Mount McKinley (20,320 feet) was to rise from the floor of the Puerto Rico trench, its peak would still be about 1.5 miles below the surface of the Atlantic. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge divides the seafloor nearly through the center and stretches from the polar regions of the north to Antarctica in the south. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge was created when the super continent of Pangaea split apart 190 million years ago. The ridge lies about 10,000 feet below the water level except in a few areas where it surfaces as islands. This mountain range is as much as 500 miles wide. Rugged valleys extend outward from the ridge line to the abyssal plains. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a continuous feature of the basin floor with one exception. There is a significant break in the ridge near the equator at the Romanche furrow where the crest of the ridge dips 15,000 feet below the surface. This break in the mountain chain allows deep water to flow freely between the Atlantic Ocean's east and west sides. This unrestricted movement provides a thorough circulation of the ocean basin that has a pronounced effect on deep water currents, density, and temperature.

What is a jet stream?

The jet streams are fast-moving prevailing winds that are very high up in the atmosphere.

Where are the largest temperate rainforests found?

The largest temperate rainforests are found in North America along the Pacific coast.

The moist continental climate

The moist continental climate is the last midlatitude climate subgroup we will consider. This area is also between 35° and 55° latitude, but it lacks mountain ranges to block the air masses so polar and tropical air are constantly clashing. Unlike the Mediterranean climate, the seasonal changes experienced in this climate are quite dramatic. The winters are cold and the summers are hot. Even daily temperatures change often, and there is abundant precipitation. The eastern portion of the US falls into this climate zone, as does Korea, Japan, and Eastern Europe. As you have read about climates, you might have noticed that most of the climates we have looked at are in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because more of the earth's landmass is located in the Northern Hemisphere.

the moon: influential neighbor

The moon is our closest neighbor and it has a significant influence on the earth. The most noticeable impact is the rise and fall of the ocean tides. The moon's gravitational pull is not as strong as the earth's; however, it is strong enough to exert a pull on the earth. The moon works like a magnet that pulls on the oceans, causing them to bulge out in the direction of the moon, this is called a tidal bulge because it creates ocean tides. The ocean on the other side of the earth has a tidal bulge in the opposite direction, because the earth itself is also being pulled a little bit toward the moon by its gravitational pull and away from the water on the far side, as you can see in Figure 3.2.1. The moon's gravitational pull, combined with the earth's rotation, creates two tides every day. Tides are the ebb and flow of the ocean along the shore—the water rises and then it falls. The strength of the tide depends on where the moon is in its orbit.

Which statement best describes the population of Arizona?

The most heavily populated counties adjoin one another.

What blocks the humid air in eastern US from reaching the western US?

The mountains in the west block humid air from much of the western US.

What is the orographic effect?

The orographic effect occurs when air is forced to rise so that it can go over a mountain. As the air rises and cools, the water vapor condenses and precipitation occurs. This means all of the water gets dumped on one side of the mountain, creating a humid environment; by the time the air reaches the other side of the mountain it no longer has any water vapor left in it, and this creates a desert.

Which factor that often determines climate might explain the population pattern of Michigan?

The population of Michigan lives mostly in the lower latitudes of the state.

continental drift

The process of the earth's crust movement is called continental drift. Volcanoes often form near the plate boundaries.

About how much rain do the rainforests in the Pacific Northwest receive each year?

The rainforests of the Pacific Northwest receive between twelve and fourteen feet of water annually.

How do the rainforests benefit us and the environment?

The rainforests provide a home for thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are beneficial to humankind. The organisms of the rainforest consume much of the atmospheric waste that is created by man and bury it in the ground.

oceanic ridge

The ridges connect in a continuous mountain chain that runs throughout the earth's oceans. This mountain chain is 40,000 miles long and contains some of the world's tallest peaks. Most of the mountains are hidden beneath the water, but some emerge from the waves to form islands. The ridge encircles the earth much like the seams of a baseball.

What has happened to the level of the sea due to the increase in temperature?

The sea has risen between four and eight inches.

What is the second largest source of oil found in ocean waters?

The second largest source of oil in ocean water is caused by spills from petroleum users; for example, dripping motor oil on the driveway which then washes into the gutter, flows to the river, and spills into the ocean

wet-dry tropical climate (savannah)

The second subgroup is the wet-dry tropical climate, or the savannah. These areas have a wet season and a dry season. You might expect that it would be warmer during the dry season, but the wind blows from the higher latitudes during that time so the dry season is a little cooler. India, West Africa, and the northern coast of Australia are some of the areas that have this climate.

steppe climate

The steppe climate is not quite a desert since it receives some moisture, but it is quite dry and usually receives somewhere between four and twenty inches of precipitation each year. Look at the US precipitation distribution in Figure 4.3.2. Find the areas that receive four to twenty inches of rain. As you can see, most of the western side of the US has a steppe climate.

solar system

The sun and its eight orbiting planets make up our solar system.

the sun

The sun is the center of our solar system and the planets all orbit around it. The sun makes up 99.85 percent of the mass in our solar system! This means that if you put all the other planets, including the earth, along with the moons, meteorites, asteroids, and other celestial material together, it would make up less than 1 percent of all the mass of the solar system. Compared to everything else in our solar system, the sun is huge, but in the Milky Way galaxy it is only one medium-sized star. The sun is made of burning gases. Things to remember about the sun: •The sun is the center of our solar system. •The sun includes almost all of the mass in our solar system. •The sun is a medium-sized star. •The sun is made of gas.

How are continental shelves similar to adjoining coastal areas?

The terrain of continental shelves is similar to adjoining coastal areas; for instance, if the coast is mountainous, the adjoining continental shelf is also mountainous.

An imaginary circle around the earth halfway between the poles.

What is Equator?

Pangea

The theory of plate tectonics explains the history of the earth's surface. It is believed that the modern continents were once all part of one super-continent called Pangaea. Scientists theorize that Pangaea first broke into two continents and eventually split further into the continents that exist today. Look at Figure 5.2.1 above; do you see how the east coast of South America matches up with the west coast of Africa? Scientists point to the matching-up of the coasts along the continents as evidence that the theory of plate tectonics is accurate. Figure 5.2.1 shows how the continents may have fit together before drifting apart. In addition to fitting the coastlines together, scientists have found that rock formations also match up along the edges of the continents. For example, the rock formations along the east coast of South America match the rock formations along the west coast of Africa. The matching rock formations provide more evidence supporting the theory.

magma and volcanoes

The third element of the earth's interior is composed of huge currents that carry heat from the core through the mantle up to the crust. These currents of melted rock, or magma, flow to the surface and erupt through vents called volcanoes. Once the liquid magma spills out onto the surface of the earth, it is called lava.

dry tropical climate

The third part of the low latitude climates is the dry tropical climate. These are hot, dry areas or deserts. The southwestern United States, South Africa, Argentina, and the Arabian Peninsula are some areas that experience this type of climate.

What are three factors of Tornado Alley that lead to the formation of tornados?

The three factors that make Tornado Alley perfect for tornado formation are terrain, water, and wind currents.

What happens to the tides when the moon, earth and sun are all in line?

The tide is especially strong.

How do low pressure systems and high pressure systems interact to move air?

The variations in temperature cause air to develop currents and cycle around the earth.

What is a sign that a tsunami is about to occur?

The water becomes turbulent, and its level may rise or fall quickly

How does the motion of currents moderate ocean temperatures?

The water moves between the polar and equilateral regions. It warms as it moves through the tropics and cools in the polar regions.

rift valleys

There are a few spreading plate boundaries under the continents; in these areas the crust stretches until it eventually breaks. These areas are called rift valleys. The Great Rift Valley is over 3000 miles long and runs from Syria down to Mozambique in Eastern Africa. The Jordan rift valley is a small portion of the Great Rift Valley.

dry midlatitude climates

There are also the dry midlatitude climates. These are the lower elevation areas situated between 35° and 55° latitude. There are really two different dry midlatitude climates: the steppe climate and the grassland climate. The steppe climate is not quite a desert since it receives some moisture, but it is quite dry and usually receives somewhere between four and twenty inches of precipitation each year. Look at the US precipitation distribution in Figure 4.3.2. Find the areas that receive four to twenty inches of rain. As you can see, most of the western side of the US has a steppe climate. The grassland climates receive a little more rain, usually about thirty-two inches per year. Look at the map again and find the areas that receive between twenty and thirty inches of rain. As you can see, the US has a narrow band of grassland climate. Europe and northern China are other areas that have dry midlatitude climates.

What two types of rainforests are there?

There are temperate and tropical rainforests.

greenhouse effect

There is concern that humans may be influencing the biosphere in other ways. You have probably heard of the greenhouse effect; this is a process that traps heat in the atmosphere. Without this process it would be too cold on Earth to live. In lesson 3 you learned about Venus. Do you remember that Venus' atmosphere is very thick and hot? This is because the atmosphere on Venus is made mostly of carbon dioxide.

global warming

There is concern that humans may be influencing the biosphere in other ways. You have probably heard of the greenhouse effect; this is a process that traps heat in the atmosphere. Without this process it would be too cold on Earth to live. In lesson 3 you learned about Venus. Do you remember that Venus' atmosphere is very thick and hot? This is because the atmosphere on Venus is made mostly of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is particularly good at trapping heat and is a major factor in producing the greenhouse effect. Many scientists are worried because burning products such as coal, natural gas, and oil adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Since carbon dioxide absorbs heat, the atmosphere may become warmer and disrupt the normal climate and weather patterns. Since the late 1800s the level of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere has increased by 30 percent. During the past century, the average temperature of the earth has increased by 1° F. If the increase continues, some scientists fear that there could be serious and permanent consequences. The warmer weather could cause polar caps to melt, which would cause sea levels to raise. During the last hundred years it is estimated that warmer temperatures have caused the sea level to rise four to eight inches. The warmer water may cause other problems too. As you learned earlier, tropical storms begin over warm ocean water. Scientists worry that warmer oceans could result in more frequent and stronger tropical storms. In the U.S. that could mean more hurricanes. Some scientists believe that there has always been a natural cycle of global warming and cooling, and they are not convinced that human activities can alter the cycle. Scientists are working to determine exactly what the consequences might be if we continue to add large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Find North Dakota and Italy on the map. Based on what you know about latitudes, climates, and oceans, what assumptions can you make about these two locations?

There is less variation of temperature in Italy than in North Dakota.

How do glaciers change the surface of the earth?

They cause valleys and mountain peaks to develop.

What do the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean have in common that is different from the other two oceans?

They each contain 20 percent of the earth's water and they are both divided by a mid-ocean ridge.

highland climate

This climate is found in the mountains of the midlatitudes. The highland climates are cool to cold, depending on the altitude; the higher the altitude, the colder the temperature. The highlands have the same seasons and the same wet and dry periods as the general area that they are located in. For instance, the mountains in desert areas receive little rain, and the mountains in humid areas receive a lot of rain. When it is winter in Utah, it is winter in the High Uintas (a wilderness area southeast of Salt Lake City), and when it is summer in Utah the temperature warms up in the High Uintas. Highland climates are found in the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the Andean mountain range in South America, the Alps in Europe, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, the Himalayans in Tibet, and Mt. Fuji in Japan.

high latitude climates

This climate is located in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. Parts of Canada and Siberia fall into this category, and as you might guess, the temperature is often cold. There are both humid and arid areas in this climate zone, but the climate is characterized by very long winters and short periods of warmer weather.

atmosphere

This is probably the term you are most familiar with: it is the air that you breathe. The atmosphere is made of all of the gases that surround the earth. It starts on the earth's surface and extends into space. As you might guess, it is the least dense of all the four spheres.

biosphere

This sphere is different from the other three spheres and it is also a part of all the other spheres. The biosphere is the sphere that includes all life forms. All living things, including organisms in the far reaches of the atmosphere and in the deepest part of the ocean, are a part of the biosphere. You are a part of the biosphere.

How did the invention of the tractor influence the weather of the early 1900s?

Tractors enabled farmers to plow under large amounts of prairie sod; this activity led to severe dust storms.

Where are oceanic trenches found?

Trenches are found adjacent and parallel to continents and island chains.

trenches

Trenches are found adjacent and parallel to continents and island chains. At least twenty-two trenches have been identified, although not all are classified as major. Of this number, eighteen are in the Pacific Ocean, three in the Atlantic Ocean, and one (the Java Trench) in the Indian Ocean. Trenches are not uniform in depth or width, but the depths of major trenches exceed 18,000 feet and the widths vary from ten to twenty-two miles. The deepest point in the ocean is the Challenger Deep, which is 35,810 feet deep, in the Marianas Trench. The depths of many trenches are greater than the elevation of the world's highest mountain. Mount Everest (29,028 feet) would be less imposing if dropped into the Challenger Deep. In fact, the tip of Mount Everest would be farther down than the depth of the Grand Canyon.

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Tropical rainforests are located along the equator.

tsunamis

Tsunamis are a series of very long waves generated by any rapid, large-scale disturbance of the sea. Most are generated by seafloor displacements from large undersea earthquakes; [however, tsunamis can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, oceanic landslides, or any other event that displaces a large amount of water.] Tsunamis can cause great destruction and loss of life within minutes on shores near their source, and some tsunamis can cause destruction within hours across an entire ocean basin. Most tsunamis occur in the Pacific region, but they [have been] known to happen in every ocean and sea. Although infrequent, tsunamis are a significant natural hazard with great destructive potential. They can only be dealt with effectively through programs of warning, mitigation, and education."1 Tsunamis only affect coastal regions. The best thing to do if you suspect a tsunami is about to occur is to get on higher ground. One sign of a tsunami is a strong earthquake that lasts twenty seconds or longer and occurs in or near the ocean. The sign that Tilly Smith noticed was the water rising. When a tsunami occurs, the water does not rise in the same way as tidal waters do, with closely spaced waves that one could surf on; instead, the water rises rapidly and is often very turbulent and contains a lot of debris. Sometimes the first sign observed is a rapid receding of the ocean followed by a wall of rising water. When this happens, it is time to run! You can get an idea of how a tsunami occurs by watching this video animation. As you watch it, you will see the initial displacement of the water as water sprays into the air, followed by the wave that becomes bigger as it travels through the ocean.

Where are most of the world's largest known reserves of coal found?

US

uranus

Uranus is one of the smaller gas planets in our solar Uranus is one of the smaller gas planets in our solar system, but it is still large enough to hold sixty-four planets the size of Earth. Uranus, like Venus, rotates in an opposite direction of the other planets in the solar system, and its poles are sometimes pointed toward the sun. Cold methane gas gives Uranus a blue-green color. Uranus has strong winds, though not as strong as Saturn's. Wind speeds on Uranus can be as fast as 373 miles per hour. Compare that to the strongest winds on Earth; Hurricane Katrina was a category five hurricane, with wind speeds of over 156 miles per hour. Uranus has at least eleven rings made of particles the size of boulders. Uranus has at least twenty-one moons, though some are less than sixty-two feet wide. Things to remember about Uranus: •Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun. •Uranus is a gas planet. •Uranus rotates on its side. •Uranus has strong winds. •Uranus has at least twenty-one moons.

What are five things to remember about Uranus?

Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun. It is a gas planet. It rotates on its side. It has strong winds. It has at least twenty-one moons

Which planet's atmosphere is composed largely of carbon dioxide?

Venus' atmosphere is composed largely of carbon dioxide.

volcanoes

Volcanic eruptions do not occur just anywhere. Sixty percent of all active volcanoes are found at plate boundaries such as the Pacific plate, often called the Ring of Fire because of the active volcanoes on its perimeter. Where the plates under the earth are moving apart or colliding with one another, volcanoes may form. Many volcanoes form oceanic islands in the Pacific Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. These volcanoes form over "hot spots" in the crust and mantle. The Northern Hemisphere has approximately two-thirds of the world's land-based volcanoes. Not all volcanoes erupt and not all eruptions are explosive. Although the types of eruptions vary, all land-based volcano eruptions are likely to affect the surface of the earth.

How do oceans influence coastal temperatures?

Water does not heat and cool as rapidly as the air, so the oceans stay about the same temperature year-round. The temperature of the water affects the air.

How do oceans influence coastal climates?

Water temperatures do not change rapidly, which moderates the air temperature.

What can you do to help prevent oil from spilling into oceans?

We can prevent oil from seeping into the ocean by being careful when we use it. We should dispose of leftover motor oil properly. We should make sure that we do not spill or drip petroleum products on the ground.

weather maps

Weather maps show a variety of conditions. For example, some portray the amount of precipitation an area receives. Others show the average minimum and maximum temperatures. Figure 2.2.8 shows the average annual precipitation for the state of Georgia. Figure 2.2.9 shows the average annual precipitation for Colorado. Compare the two maps. Do you see that most of Georgia is much wetter than Colorado? However, notice that certain areas of Colorado receive as much rain as Georgia.

A unit of measure used for latitude and longitude.

What are Degrees?

An element of geography that considers how human actions have affected the physical environment.

What are Environment and Society?

An element of geography that considers the distribution of various groups of people across the earth.

What are Human systems?

An element of geography that considers the earth's ecosystems.

What are Physical systems?

An element of geography that considers the human interpretation of the world.

What are Places and Regions?

A figure that displays direction.

What is Compass Rose?

Touching along a boundary.

What is Contiguous?

revolution

While the earth is rotating, it also revolves around the sun, which means that it circles the sun. Earth's orbit isn't really a circle; instead, it is elliptical, which is another way of saying it is oval. It takes 365 ¼ days for Earth to complete its trip around the sun. You might wonder about that extra ¼ day. The way we deal with it is to ignore it for three years, and then on the fourth year we add an extra day to our calendar, so we have twenty-nine days in the month of February that year, instead of the normal twenty-eight days. When this happens we call it a "leap" year.

What are the two main forces that cause erosion?

Wind and water are the two main forces that cause erosion.

What is an element that caused the soil erosion that occurred in the US Midwest in the 1930s?

Wind was one of the factors that caused the soil erosion of the Dust Bowl era.

Which of the following statements is true?

X Venus has a hot atmosphere. Venus has a thin atmosphere. Venus has a cold atmosphere.

Can the biosphere change weather patterns?

Yes, the biosphere can change weather patterns. Humans are members of the biosphere and they have influenced weather patterns in the past.

Can volcanoes erupt more than once?

Yes, volcanoes can erupt repeatedly.

Do human actions contribute to erosion?

Yes, we can do things to reduce vegetation, which will make banks much weaker and more susceptible to erosion. Construction of roads does a similar process.

hydrosphere

You can probably guess what this term means, since you may know that hydro means water. The hydrosphere is all of the earth's water, including the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, ice, even the clouds and fog and rain.

lithosphere

You may not have heard this word before, but it refers to something that you are very familiar with: it is the solid crust of the planet. The lithosphere is where we live, the ground that we walk on; it is the soil and rocks, the mountains and valleys. It forms the continents and islands and even the ocean floors.

What is the name for a map element that has arrows pointing in all four principle directions?

a compass rose

Which of the following is a unit of measurement that is used on maps?

a degree

What is the name for a region with features that make it different from surrounding areas?

a formal region

What is the name of a region that is made up of different places that are linked and function as a unit, but are not necessarily in the same geographical area?

a functional region

the Milky Way is

a galaxy

What is the name that geographers use to identify the halves of the earth that are created when the earth is divided along the equator or meridian?

a hemisphere

What is the correct name for a map key?

a legend

the sun is

a medium star

What is another name for an imaginary longitude line that runs vertically north to south?

a meridian

What is a solar system?

a star with orbiting planets

About how many people were killed by tornados that year? 1962

about 18

How much of the oil used in the US comes from other countries?

about 56 percent.

How much of the coal used worldwide each year is mined in the US?

about one-fifth

the world's smoothest, flattest areas, which are found on the ocean floor

abyssal plains

human settlements and the weather

alters precipitation levels, temperature, and causes sever weather

What two factors influence air pressure?

altitude and heat influence air pressure

what appears to have occurred to the western portion of the United States?

an oceanic plate collided with a continental plate

What is the term for a chain of volcanoes that runs throughout the oceans?

an oceanic ridge

Flat plane projections

are calculated from a central point

galaxies

are clusters of stars within the universe. Galaxies are huge, but most are so far away from us that objects which look like individual stars to the naked eye are really billions of stars clumped together in a galaxy.

Conic projections

are good for depicting areas with large east-west dimensions

conic projections

are good for depicting areas with large east-west dimensions

globes

are the most accurate projection of area and shape

flat plane projections

are used for navigation

What spews from volcanoes in addition to lava?

ash and smoke

Oxygen is a part of which sphere?

atmosphere

Cold viruses are a part of which sphere?

biosphere

Globes

can accurately represent direction, shape, distances, and area

Pseudo cylindrical projections

feature a scale that is constant along any given latitude

How much more intense is a magnitude 7.0 earthquake than a magnitude 3.0 earthquake?

forty times more intense movement that causes rift valleys to form = spreading plates

Cylindrical projections

have straight and parallel longitude and latitude lines

What are some uses for solar energy?

heating water for domestic use, space heating of buildings, drying agricultural products, and generating electrical energy.

Look at Figure 4.1.1 and think about what you have learned about air pressure at various latitudes. Do subtropical areas generally have high pressure, or do they have low pressure?[/HTML]

high pressure

Does the North Pole have a high pressure system or a low pressure system?

high pressure system

midlatitude climates

highland climate, Mediterranean climate, moist continental climate

Mid-latitude Climates

highland, dry midlatitude

Wind is

horizontally flowing air

the moon

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpegMod/PIA00405_modest.jpg We have all seen the moon lighting up the night sky. It is our closest neighbor, and because of its nearness, the moon appears quite large, but it is really much smaller than most of the solar system's planets. It is about ¼ the size of Earth. The moon orbits Earth and is not a planet. The moon's rotation lasts 29.5 days, and during that time it goes through a series of visual phases; sometimes it appears to be round and full, and other times it is not much more than a sliver. The different phases of the moon are caused by the shadow that Earth throws across the moon's surface. Only one side of the moon ever faces Earth. We call the other side of the moon "the far side" and we never, ever see it here on Earth! Things to remember about the moon: •The moon is our closet neighbor. •The moon is not a planet. •The moon is ¼ the size of Earth. •The moon orbits the earth in 29.5 days. •Only one side of the moon ever faces Earth.

What is the element of geography that considers population characteristics, including distribution, migration, complexity, cultures, and economic interdependence?

human systems

Snow is included in which sphere?

hydrosphere

universe

includes anything that exists anywhere. In other words, if I asked you to name five things that exist in the universe, you would be right as long as you named any five things that actually exist.

Carbon DIoxide

is particularly good at trapping heat and is a major factor in producing the greenhouse effect.

orbit

is the path that an object makes while revolving or circling another object. Each of the planets has its own path, or orbit, around the sun.

What wind systems do aircraft frequently take advantage of to fly more quickly?

jet streams

Which event is likely to occur when vegetation is destroyed?

landslides

Crust of the earth

large floating pieces

What type of plate movement causes faults like the San Andreas fault to develop?

lateral

plate movement that causes faults like the San Andreas fault

lateral moving plates

What are the imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator and are measured in degrees?

latitude lines

Material of the outer core of the earth

liquid metals

Volcanoes are a part of which sphere?

lithosphere

What factor has the greatest influence on climate?

location

Which areas generally receive the most precipitation?

low pressure zones

Melted rock that flows in currents from the core of the earth to the surface

magma

What is the name for melted rock that flows in currents within the earth?

magma

Where are highland climates located?

midlatitudes

Where do more people live?

midlatitudes

Which midlatitude climate is humid and has dramatic seasonal changes?

moist continental

midlatitude climate with dramatic seasonal changes

moist continental climate

the land formation that occures when two continental plates collide

mountains

What are some advantages of renewable energy sources?

nearly never ending supply

Which direction do the southeast trade winds blow?

northwest

Where is most of the crude oil produced in the US?

offshore in the Gulf of Mexico

Where do hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons always start?

on the oceans

biggest difference between the steppe and the grassland

one receives more water than the other

What is another name for the imaginary latitude circles on the surface of the earth?

parallels

What is the name for a region that is reflective of human feelings and attitudes?

perceptual region

What is the element of geography that considers the processes that shape the pattern of the earth's surface and the characteristics of the earth's ecosystems?

physical systems

What is the element of geography that considers the physical and human characteristics of places?

places and regions

What is a biome?

plant and animal community that exists in a particular type of environment

What is an ecosystem?

plants and animals that are dependent upon one another for survival

What is the theory that states that the earth's crust is divided into rigid plates that slowly move across the upper mantle?

plate tectonics

The theory stating that the earth's crust is divided into rigid plates which slowly move across the upper mantle

plate tectonics theory

coldest climate on Earth

polar climates

What is the name for winds that regularly blow the same direction?

prevailing winds

another word for orbit

revolution

What is one thing that scientists use to support the idea of a super continent?

rock formations

Equal-area projections

show correct proportion of area

In pseudocylindrical projections

sizes are less distorted than with some projections

Material of the inner core of the earth

solid radioactive material

What is the inner core of the earth probably made of?

solid radioactive material

Oceanic ridges are formed by what type of plate movement?

spreading

plate movement that causes oceanic ridges to form

spreading plates

plate movement that causes rift valleys to form

spreading plates

types of plate movement

spreading, colliding, and lateral movement

What is the source of solar energy?

sun

What huge feature does the Pacific Ocean contain that is different from the other three oceans?

the Central Pacific Trough

Which lake system contains one-fifth of the world's freshwater supply?

the Great Lakes

Where are the largest known reserves of coal found?

the US

Carbon dioxide is a part of which sphere?

the atmosphere

Which portion of the oceans is most often used by humans for both recreation and commercial activity?

the continental shelf

tilt

the factor which causes different areas of the earth to receive different amounts of light

Tilt is

the factor which causes seasons

revolution

the path an object makes as it orbits or circles another object

Which best describes the term "orbit"?

the path an object makes while circling another object

What is the greenhouse effect?

the process that traps heat in the atmosphere

facts that support the idea of a super-continent

the shape of the continents match and rock formations along the coast match

If you were sailing a ship from Europe across the Atlantic Ocean to the US, what wind system would most likely fill the sails and take you where you wanted to go?

the southeast trade winds

rotation

the spinning of a planet on its axis

rotation is

the spinning of a planet on its axis

What is one cause of the hole in the ozone layer that is located in the stratosphere?

the use of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons

What is the element of geography that can be used to interpret the past and the present and to plan for the future?

the uses of geography

What is a sign that a tsunami is about to occur?

the water begins to either recede or rise rapidly

What is the element of geography that promotes the understanding and analyzing of the organization of people, places, and environments on the earth's surface?

the world in spatial terms

What is most of the coal that is burned in the US used for?

to produce electricity.

climate that receives rain almost every day

tropical moist climate

low latitude climates

tropical moist climate, wet-dry tropical climate, dry tropical climate

Which climates are found in the low latitudes?

tropical moist, wet-dry tropical, dry tropical

Which of the following is an example of a biome?

tundra

What factors make the Pacific Ocean violent?

typhoons, volcanoes, earthquakes

By definition, this term includes anything that exists anywhere.

universe

What human activities increase ozone levels in the lower atmosphere?

using fossil fuel as an energy source

Vents where lava escapes from the earth's interior

volcanoes

What is the name of the vents through which lava escapes from the earth's interior?

volcanoes

What element formed the Grand Canyon?

water

What is the leading cause of erosion along beaches?

water

What elements formed the Arches in Utah?

water and wind

How was the Grand Canyon probably formed?

water erosion

What is the name for horizontally flowing air?

wind

Which natural occurrence helps prevent the buildup of ozone pollution?

wind