geog 2051 lsu namikas

define geography

the study of the spatial distribution of phenomena on the earth's surface

explain the difference between human geography and physical geography

human geography: people, culture, things people create and do

physical geography: the environment, the spatial distributions of its components, and the processes that alter those distributions over time

identify the four spheres of geography and name an example from each

atmosphere: earth's gasses

biosphere: earth's living organisms

hydrosphere: earth's waters

lithosphere: mountains and other solid portions of the earth

identify the sub-discipline of physical geography that focuses on each of the four spheres

climatology: atmosphere

biogeography: biosphere

hydrology: hydrosphere

geomorphology: lithosphere

explain the basic goal of geography

successful management of our environment

define the term hypothesis

a testable possible solution

theory

a tested, well substantiated unifying explanation for a set of verified, proven factors

explain the difference between a hypothesis and theory

hypothesis: testable possible solution

theory: all knowledge accumulated as individuals as well as collective knowledge

what is the scientific method

a procedure for understanding and creating new knowledge, systematic observation, formulation, testing and revision of hypotheses

explain why we can't prove a hypothesis is true and the significance of this statement

you can't prove that anything is true, you can only disprove

this means that you should always be somewhat skeptical

System

set of interrelated parts that work together by a driving process.

open system

allows matter to enter and leave (ex. ocean)

closed system

doesn't allow any matter to enter or leave (energy can not mass)

positive budget

inputs are larger than outputs

negative side effects

negative budgets

inputs are smaller than outputs

negative side effects

equilibrium budget

inputs = outputs

balance

static equilibrium

inputs = outputs

balanced system

inputs are stored

outputs are constant

dynamic equilibrium

inputs/outputs fluctuate

imbalanced

lag time/interval

the time period between inputs and the system's response

feedbacks

inputs that enhance/reduce initial change

positive feedbacks

act to enhance original change

negative feedbacks

act to reduce initial change

define map

a 2-dimensional model of a portion of the earth's surface

1-dimensional map characteristics

points are locations on the map

2-dimensional map characteristics

lines are pathways that connect locations on the map

3-dimensional map characteristics

polygons are regions on the map

define scale on a map

a tool that converts measurements on the map into the real world equivalence

define legend on a map

a guide to the symbols and shading used to represent data on the map

define date/source on a map

allows you to observe changes to regions over time

grid coordinate system

used to define a particular place within a local area (within a 100 by 100 kilometer area). Coordinates are written along the sides of a map designating specific grid lines.

latitude

equator 0 degrees

parallel

0 degrees to 90 degrees N/S

longitude

prime meridian

N/S pole to pole

0 degrees to 180 degrees E/W

remote sensing

collecting information from a distance without direct physical contact

explain the difference between reflected and emitted energy

reflected energy: energy bounces off a surface to an observer

emitted energy: all objects that have a temperature above 0 degrees emitt energy

electromagnetic radiation

energy that is constantly being radiated by all objects

uv rays, micro, gamma, x-rays, visible light

active sensor

sensor supplies its own energy

passive sensor

require an external energy source

major platforms used for remote sensing

satellite

ground

planes

geostationary orbit

satellite remains fixed over a particular location

useful for collecting data on things that change rapidly like the weather

only provides info for specific location

polar orbit

satellite closer to earth that orbits N/S, moving over new locations

shows broader surfaces

useful for mapping sea surface temperature

nebular hypothesis

the solar system began as a nebula. disturbance caused part of the nebula to collapse. material is pulled together by gravity to form the sun. nebulas in orbit began to form planets and asteroids.

precambrian

4.5 billion years ago to 550 million years ago

phanerozoic

550 million years ago to now

quaternary

divided into pleistocene and holocene (2.6 million yrs ago to now)

pleistocene

2 million years ago to 10,000 years ago

holocene

10,000 years ago to present

identify the difference between absolute and relative dating techniques

relative dating: oldest, old, younger, youngest

absolute dating: specific numeric ages

relative dating

order in terms of oldest, old, younger, youngest

absolute dating

determining the age of a specific chronology

superposition

oldest materials will be found on the bottom of a formation and the youngest will be found on top

define half-life

the amount of time it takes for 50% of the parent isotope to decay into the daughter isotope

radiometric dating

a method of dating by determining the relative proportions of particular radioactive isotopes present

isotope

2 or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons

the core is composed of

the inner core:

solid metal

hot, dense, high pressure

the outer core:

liquid metal

less denser than inner core

the mantle is composed of

the asthenosphere:

plastic, molten

the uppermost mantle:

solid

floats on top of the asthenosphere

the mantle comprises how much of Earth's volume?

80%

the crust is composed into

1. continental crust

2. oceanic crust

the crust has the lowest temperature and density

describe the trends in temperature and density moving from the surface of the earth to the crust

temperature and density increase with depth from surface to core

elements

materials that can't be broken down into simpler components

identify the 2 most common elements in the crust

oxygen and silica

mineral

solid, inorganic, naturally occurring substances

combined elements

rock

mineral matter combined

sedimentary rocks

rocks formed through the lithification of sediment

metamorphic rocks

rocks that get altered due to exposure to tremendous heat or pressure

lithification

the consolidation of loosely deposited sediment into hard sedimentary rock

weathering

breaking down or dissolving rock

identify the three classes of sedimentary rock

1. clastic sedimentary rocks

2. chemical sedimentary rocks

3. organic sedimentary rocks

clastic sedimentary rock

characterized by grain size

chemical sedimentary rock

form from precipitation

organic sedimentary rock

material is of organic origin

igneous rocks

rocks that form from magma cooling

intrusive igneous rock

form below the surface

larger visible crystals

extrusive igneous rocks

form on the surface when magma cools

fine texture

mafic magma

runny, low in silica and contain more dark, magnesium and iron rich mafic minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene. oceanic crust

felsic magma

thick, higher in silica and contain lighter colored minerals such as quartz and orthoclase feldspar. continental crust

define pluton

intrusive igneous rocks formed when magma cools within the crust

granite

common igneous rock

quartz

light colored

basalt

igneous rock

plagioclase

usually extrusive

dark colored

sill

magma solidifying horizontally

dike

magma solidifying vertically

laccolith

uplift due to pressure from magma under layers of rocks, creating a dome

regional metamorphism

2 tectonic plates colliding, occurs over broad areas in the lithosphere, leading to the formation of metamorphic rocks with a flaky texture

contact metamorphism

surrounding rock is baked by cooling magma, rock is heated up by an intrusion of hot magma

foliated metamorphic rocks

foliated rocks have layers that are caused by intense shearing forces that occur during regional metamorphosis

isostasy

the equilibrium of the earth's crust

lithospheric plates

a tectonic plate, massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere

identify the 3 types of plate boundary

1. divergent boundary

2. convergent boundary

3. transform boundary

divergent plate boundary

2 plates move away from each other

convergent plate boundary

2 plates move into each other

transform boundary

2 plates slide past each other moving in opposite directions

identify the most recent supercontinent and when it was present

Pangea

225 million years ago

oceanic-oceanic collision

denser plate in subduction zone creates volcanoes

volcanic island arc, Japan

oceanic-continental collision

oceanic plate forced under the continental plate

subduction

Andes

continental-continental collision

physical forces mountain ranges

little volcanism

Himalayas

global supercontinent cycle

Earth's continents slowly come together to form one giant landmass (a supercontinent) and then break apart again over hundreds of millions of years.

wilson cycle

idea that continents cycle through cycles of rifting and aggregation(open close collide) over geological time.

the most recent supercontinent

pangea (about 200 million years ago)

syncline

formed when rocks are compressed by plate tectonic forces

fold of rock layers that slope upward on both sides of a common low-point

valley

anticline

ridge

fold, arch-like shape

oldest beds at its core

limbs

flanks of the fold, and the limbs converge at the hinge zone