Geo 351: Physical geography

Geography

the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources and political and economic activities.

Physical geography

geography of the natural world

Biosphere

zone of life, vegetation, animals

Cryosphere

Includes all forms of frozen water

Hydrosphere

all of the water on earth's surface and in the atmosphere

Lithosphere

the outermost shell of the solid earth, the crust and seafloor

International date line

180 degrees, across from the prime meridian in the pacific

latitude

x coordinates parallel to the equator

longitude

y coordinates, circle the earth from the prime meridian

GPS

24 satellites in geosynchronous orbit (with earth) to triangulate location

Mineral

a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having a definite chemical composition, physical properties, and crystalline structure

Rock

naturally occurring and coherent aggregate of one or more minerals

Igneous rocks

form as a result of cooling, of lava (magma on earth's surface, extrusive) or magma (intrusive)

Mafic rocks

created by magma that has less silica, typically darker

Felsic rocks

come from silica rich magma or lava, light colored

basalt

rock formed from low silica lava

lava

magma that reaches the earth's surface

granite

light colored coarse grained felsic intrusive rock

magma

molten rock

sedimentary rock

forms from the deposition, compaction, and cementation of rock fragments, mineral grains, and dissolved material

lithification

the weight of sediment as it accumulates expels water between grains (compaction), and dissolved minerals in the water glues grains together (cementation)

sandstone

grains are sand sized and often quartz

limestone

accumulation of marine shell fragments on a beach or the ocean floor, so it is a clastic sedimentary rock

metamorphic rocks

rocks that have not melted into magma, but have been altered by heat and pressure

marble

limestone that metamorphically changes into denser and harder rock

rock cycle

rocks were originally all igneous, over time they are broken down by weathering and erosion, pushed upwards or downwards into mountains or metamorphosed or melted to magma.