Untitled Flashcards Set

Location

The geographical situation of a place on the Earth's surface, categorized as absolute or relative.

Absolute location

The precise geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude) of a place.

Relative location

The position of a place in relation to other locations.

Place

Describes the physical and human characteristics that make a location unique.

Physical attributes

Landforms, climate, vegetation, and wildlife of a location.

Human attributes

Culture, architecture, language, traditions, and economic activities of a location.

Human-Environment Interaction

Examines how humans adapt to and modify their surroundings.

Dependence

Using natural resources like water, land, and air for survival.

Adaptation

Adjusting behaviors to environmental conditions.

Modification

Changing landscapes through construction, agriculture, and deforestation.

Movement

The transfer of people, goods, and ideas from one location to another.

Migration

The relocation of populations due to economic, political, or environmental factors.

Regions

Areas defined by shared characteristics, such as formal, functional, and perceptual regions.

Formal regions

Defined by official boundaries, like countries or states.

Functional regions

Connected by economic or political activities, like trade hubs.

Perceptual regions

Defined by cultural identity and common perceptions, such as 'the South' in the U.S.

Lithosphere

The solid outer part of Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding the planet that provides oxygen and influences weather.

Biosphere

The global sum of all living organisms.

Crust

The outermost layer of Earth, ranging from 5 to 70 km thick.

Mantle

A thick, semi-solid layer beneath the crust that moves tectonic plates.

Outer Core

A liquid layer composed of iron and nickel that generates Earth’s magnetic field.

Inner Core

A solid, extremely hot center of the Earth.

Pangaea

The supercontinent that existed when continents were joined before drifting apart.

Plate Tectonics

The theory explaining the movement and interaction of large plates comprising Earth’s crust.

Convergent boundaries

Where tectonic plates collide, forming mountains or volcanic arcs.

Divergent boundaries

Where tectonic plates separate, creating new crust.

Transform boundaries

Where tectonic plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

Folding

Layers of rock bend due to stress.

Faulting

Rock fractures and moves along fault lines.

Uplifting

Land is pushed upward, forming mountains.

Igneous rocks

Formed from cooled magma or lava.

Sedimentary rocks

Created by the accumulation of minerals and organic material.

Metamorphic rocks

Altered by heat and pressure deep within Earth.

Geothermal activity

The heating of groundwater that creates hot springs and geysers.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas formed from ancient organic materials.

Richter scale

A measurement tool that quantifies the magnitude of earthquakes.

Mercalli scale

Measures the impact and destruction caused by an earthquake.

Volcanoes

Formed by magma rising through Earth's crust, with various types such as shield, composite, and cinder cone.