4. Crash Course Geography: Physical Geography and Earth's Four Spheres

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to physical geography, Earth’s four major spheres, and related processes and concepts from the Crash Course Geography lecture.

physical geography

The study of the natural environment—its processes that create, modify, and destroy landscapes—and how humans interact with it.

geo-ecosphere

The narrow zone on Earth’s surface containing landscapes and major systems that interact to form the planet’s dynamic environment.

atmosphere

The layer of air surrounding Earth; includes clouds, weather, the ozone layer, and the air we breathe.

hydrosphere

All water on, under, or above Earth’s surface, including oceans, rivers, groundwater, soils, ice, and water in organisms.

lithosphere

The rocky outer shell of Earth, forming continents and ocean basins.

biosphere

The regions of Earth where life exists; the zone in which living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

four Earth systems

The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere—the four major spheres studied in physical geography.

Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest coral reef system off Australia, consisting of thousands of reefs and species; its skeleton is calcium carbonate.

coral reef

A marine ecosystem built by corals that secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons.

calcium carbonate

The chemical compound secreted by corals to build limestone; a key component of reef and lithosphere structures.

lavaca

An erosional gully in Madagascar formed by erosion (term used in the notes).

andisols

Volcanic soils formed from volcanic ash that are rich in nutrients and highly fertile, but prone to erosion when overused.

pedology

The study of soils, their formation, types, and distribution.

hydrology

The science of the movement, distribution, and management of Earth’s water resources.

topography

The shape and features of the land surface.

geomorphology

The origin and evolution of landforms and the processes that shape the Earth’s surface.

insolation

Incoming solar radiation that heats Earth’s surface.

evaporation

The process by which liquid water becomes water vapor.

condensation

Water vapor turning into liquid water, forming clouds.

precipitation

Any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface (rain, snow, sleet, hail).

glacier

A slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow in high latitudes or mountains.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

An underwater mountain range along the Atlantic Ocean where tectonic plates diverge.

Iceland

An island nation in the North Atlantic known for glaciers, volcanism, and abundant renewable energy; climate moderated by ocean currents.

North Atlantic Drift

A warm ocean current that transports heat northward, helping moderate Iceland’s climate.

meteorology

The study of atmospheric processes and weather phenomena.

climatology

The study of climate patterns and long-term atmospheric conditions.

oceanography

The study of the oceans’ physical, chemical, biological, and geological properties and processes.

biogeography

The study of the distribution of plants and animals across space and time.

hydropower

Electricity generated from moving water, such as rivers and waterfalls.

erosion

The process by which soil or rock is worn away by wind, water, or ice.

biosphere-hydrosphere-atmosphere interactions

The interconnected relationships among Earth’s major spheres and how they influence each other.