Geo Master Cards

Catchment

An area where water is collected by the natural landscape, with the outside edge being the highest point. Rain and run-off in the catchment flow downhill and collect in creeks, rivers, lakes, or oceans. Some water also seeps below ground and is stored in the soil or between rocks, known as groundwater.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration.

Major Rivers

The largest rivers in the world, such as the Amazon, Nile, Mississippi, Ganges, Yangtze, etc. They play a significant role in the water cycle and are important for transportation, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Infographic

A visual representation of information or data, often used to present complex concepts or data in a clear and concise manner.

Ganges

India's biggest river, considered holy by Hindus. It is believed to have started in Hindu Heaven and is revered for its ability to cleanse a person's sins. Many people take pilgrimages to the river and submerge themselves in it.

Daly River

A river located in the Northwest of the NT, near Katherine, Australia. It is the home of the Ngangi people and is used for irrigation by beef and fruit farmers.

Ngangi people

The traditional owners of the Daly River in Australia, who have a spiritual connection to the river.

Clash in values

A conflict or disagreement between different groups, such as the Ngangi people and beef and fruit farmers, due to their differing perspectives and priorities regarding the use of the Daly River.

Irrigation

The process of supplying water to land or crops to help them grow, often through artificial means such as canals or sprinkler systems.

Indigenous people

Refers to the original inhabitants of a particular region or country, who have a unique cultural and historical connection to the land.

Water planning

The process of managing and allocating water resources, taking into account various factors such as environmental sustainability, economic needs, and the rights and interests of different stakeholders.

Economic value

The worth or importance of water resources in terms of their contribution to economic activities, such as agriculture, industry, and tourism.

Cultural value

The significance or importance of water resources to the cultural identity, traditions, and spiritual beliefs of a particular group or community.

Desalinate

The process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to make it suitable for drinking or other uses.

Per Capita Water Availability

The amount of water available per person in a given area or country, often measured in liters per person per year.

Scarcity

A condition or situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply, leading to a shortage or lack of access to sufficient water resources.

Water usage

The amount of water consumed or utilized by individuals, households, industries, or other entities for various purposes.

Water conservation

The practice of using water resources efficiently and responsibly to minimize waste and ensure long-term sustainability.

Water recycling

The process of treating and reusing wastewater or used water for various purposes, such as irrigation or industrial processes.

Water sources

The different natural sources of water, such as rivers, lakes, groundwater, and rainfall, that contribute to the overall water supply in a particular region or country.

Drought

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, resulting in a shortage of water supply.

Reservoir

An artificial lake created by building a dam across a river or stream to store water.

Hydrological hazards

Natural hazards associated with water processes, such as floods, droughts, and tsunamis.

Water cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface, driven by solar energy and gravity.

Dam

A structure built across a river or stream to hold back water and create a reservoir.

Hoover Dam

A famous dam located on the Colorado River, built during the Great Depression in the US to generate electricity and provide water supply.

Water sharing agreement

An agreement between different entities or regions to share and manage water resources.

Natural hazards

Natural events that have the potential to cause harm or damage, such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires.

Weather hazards

Hazards caused by weather processes, including tropical cyclones, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and blizzards.

Climate change

Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and other aspects of the Earth's climate system, primarily caused by human activities.

Natural Hazards

Events associated with the earth's atmosphere or surface that can cause damage or destruction.

Major floods

Result from prolonged heavy rain.

Flash Floods

Result from heavy and intense downpours.

Tropical cyclones

Low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters, characterized by high speed winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.

Droughts

Prolonged periods of below average rainfall.

Bushfires

Result from dry conditions, high temperatures, and high winds.

Storms

Weather events characterized by high winds, lightning, and heavy rainfall.

Earthquakes and tremors

Sudden, often violent movements in the earth's crust.

Landslides and slumps

Sudden downhill movements of soil and rock.

Coastal erosion

Result of storm-induced winds.

Storm surges

Large waves caused by storms.

Tsunamis

Very large, earthquake-induced waves.

Severe storms

Weather events that produce lightning, hail, tornadoes, waterspouts, storm surges, damaging winds, and intense rainfall.

East coast low

Low pressure system that forms along Australia's east coast, characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, rough seas, and damage to the coastline.

El Nino

Climate pattern that occurs when the surface ocean waters of the Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, causing wild weather.

Flash floods

Quick and damaging floods that occur in rural and urban areas.

Floods

Result from rainfall and runoff of flood waters, major causes of floods in Australia.

Bureau of Meteorology

Government agency responsible for weather forecasting and monitoring.

Virtual water

The amount of water used to produce goods and services.

Tropical cyclones

Low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters, characterized by high winds and heavy rain.

Tropical cyclone

A large, rotating storm system characterized by low pressure, strong winds, and heavy rainfall that forms over warm tropical oceans.

Cluster of thunderstorms

A group of thunderstorms that develop in a specific area.

Low pressure

An area in the atmosphere where the air pressure is lower than the surrounding areas.

Rotating

The movement of an object or system in a circular or spinning motion.

Atmospheric heat engine

A system in which heat energy is converted into mechanical work, such as the energy generated by a tropical cyclone.

Moisture

Water vapor present in the atmosphere.

Fuel

Substance that is burned or consumed to produce energy.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Clouds

Visible masses of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

Spiral rainbands

Bands of rain that spiral outward from the center of a tropical cyclone.

Eye

The calm, relatively clear center of a tropical cyclone.

Eye wall

The area immediately surrounding the eye of a tropical cyclone where the strongest winds and heaviest rain are found.

Exhaust gas

The waste product of a heat engine, in the case of a tropical cyclone, the drier cooler air at the top of the atmosphere.

Calm

A state of tranquility or absence of strong winds or storms.

Environmental conditions

The physical factors and variables in the surrounding environment that affect the development and intensity of a tropical cyclone.

Intensify

To increase in strength or severity.

Extreme winds

Very strong winds, often exceeding 90 km/h, associated with tropical cyclones.

Heavy rainfall

A significant amount of rain that can lead to flooding.

Flooding

The overflowing of water onto normally dry land, often caused by heavy rainfall or storm surge.

Storm surge

A rise in sea level caused by a tropical cyclone, resulting in coastal flooding.

Inundation

The act of being submerged or covered by water.

Property damage

Physical harm or destruction to buildings, structures, or possessions.

Debris

Scattered fragments or remains of something that has been destroyed.

Lethal

Capable of causing death or serious harm.

Ex-tropical cyclone

A tropical cyclone that has weakened and transitioned into a low-pressure system.

Typhoon

A tropical cyclone that forms in the western parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone that forms in the tropical Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Cyclone

A tropical cyclone that forms south of the equator, off the coast of places such as Australia and Madagascar.

Casualties

The number of people killed or injured in a disaster.

Recovery

The process of rebuilding and restoring after a disaster.

Direct loss

Loss that occurs as a result of direct contact with floodwater.

Indirect loss

Loss that occurs as a consequence of floodwater, even without direct contact.

Monetary

Relating to money or currency.

Tangible

Capable of being touched or physically measured.

Intangible

Not capable of being touched or physically measured.

Lives and injuries

Loss of human life and physical harm caused by a flood.

Memorabilia

Objects or items of personal or historical significance.

Cultural or heritage sites

Places of cultural or historical importance.

Ecological damage

Harm or destruction to the natural environment and ecosystems.

Stress and anxiety

Emotional and psychological effects caused by a flood.

Disruption to living

Disturbance or interruption to daily life and routines.

Community

A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests.

Ecosystem resource loss

The depletion or loss of natural resources in an ecosystem.

Queensland Floods

A specific flood event that occurred in Queensland, Australia.

Causes

Factors or events that lead to the occurrence of a flood.

Consequences

The effects or outcomes of a flood.

Environmental

Related to the natural surroundings and ecosystems.

Social

Relating to society and human interactions.

Financial

Pertaining to money, finances, or economic impacts.

Infrastructure (Buildings)

Physical structures and facilities that support the functioning of a community or society.