Not memorizing place names. It’s about where something is, why it’s there, and what is significant about it. Also concerned with how things differ through time and space.
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Immanuel Kant
(1724-1804) placed geography within a contemporary philosophical framework and reasoned that all knowledge can be organized and viewed from 3 points of view.
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One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view
Studies grouped according to specified facts or objects e.g. botany, soils, sociology, psychology
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One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view
Studies of objects and facts through time (historical sciences).
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One of Immanuel Kant’s three points of view
Studies of phenomena in space (geographical sciences - spatial context)
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Systematic Approach
Looking at one or more aspects of the human-environmental system in context of spatial dimension. (ex. atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, human dimension)
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Regional Approach
Analyze human-physical system in selected setting (e.g. geography of Europe)
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Malthus
Focused on unchecked human population versus available resources. Created the J-curve which models exponential population growth.
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Natural Resources
Any natural phenomena that is regarded as useful by humans. (ex. air, water, soil)
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Renewable Resources
(AKA “flow resources”) capable of yielding output indefinitely if managed carefully (e.g. air, water, vegetation, soil)
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Non-renewable Resources
(AKA “fund resources”) resources that cannot be used without depletion (ex. fossil fuels and metals)
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Natural Hazards
Where the humans system is unable to absorb, use, buffer, or control aspects of the natural system. (ex. flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, volcanism, drought, etc.)
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Arithmetic Density
Population to total area (e.g. population/square mile or population per square kilometer)
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Physiological Density
Population to arable land (land capable of cultivation)
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44%
Percent of the world population that lives within 150 km (93 miles) of the ocean.
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8 billion
World population today.
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10%
Percent of arable land on Earth.
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China
Largest country in the world today (population)
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24,901 miles
Earth’s circumference (in miles).
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Eratosthenes
First to accurately postulate the Earth’s circumference.
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Scale
The relation between length measured on a map image to the corresponding distance on the Earth’s surface.
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larger, closer
The _____ the scale, the _____ the relation between map distance and ground distance.
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smaller, larger
The _____ the denominator, the _____ the map scale.
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Geoid
General shape of the Earth.
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Latitude
0° to 90° North and South of the equator.
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Parallels
Lines of equal latitude.
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Longitude
0° to 180° East and West of the Prime Meridian.
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Meridians
Lines of equal longitude.
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Magnetic Declination
The difference between true north and magnetic north.
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Cylindrical Map Projection
Map projection formed by placing a cylinder over a globe and transferring points, then unfolding (ex. Mercator projection -- distortions poleward)
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Plane or Azimuthal Projection
Map projection formed by placing a flat surface next to a globe -- distortions form away from the point of contact.
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Conical Map Projection
Map projection formed by placing a cone on a globe. It helps converge the lines of longitude but has the issue of globe coverage.
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Remote Sensing
Detecting the nature of an object while at some distance. Requires some type of detector/sensor. (often uses electromagnetic energy)
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Electromagnetic Energy
Radiant energy traveling at the speed of light in harmonic wave patterns.
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Passive Systems
Sensors that acquire images without providing a source of energy. (most common = the camera)
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Gamma Rays
Electromagnetic energy with the shortest wavelength (and therefore the most energy).
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Radio Waves
Electromagnetic energy with the longest wavelength (and therefore the least energy).
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Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Near Infrared, Visible light, Ultra-violet, X-rays, and Gamma Rays
Electromagnetic spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength (increasing energy).
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Active Systems
Sensors that use a beam of wave energy as a source and send the beam toward an object. Part of the energy is reflected back to the source and is recorded by a detector. (ex. radar, lidar)
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Sun-Synchronous satellites
In sync with the sun -- orbits near polar and completes one circle of the Earth every 90 to 100 minutes. Designed to pass a set point at approximately the same time.
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Geo-Synchronous satellites
Satellites that move at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation. Fixed on one part of the globe and see one part of the globe constantly (used as weather satellites, tv satellites, communication satellites).
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Radar
Uses short pulses of microwave radiation directed towards an object and detects the return echo of the microwave response. The strength of each return pulse and time received allows an image to be created of the object.
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Frequency
Measures of waves in circles per second or Hertz (Hz).
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Landsat
One of primary Earth sensing satellites (sun-synchronous orbit).
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Counterclockwise
Direction of the Earth’s rotation (reference: looking down on the North Pole).
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Diverts them to the right
Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Diverts them to the left.
Coriolis effect on winds and ocean currents in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Aphelion
When Earth is at its greatest distance from the sun.
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Perihelion
When Earth is at its closest distance to the sun.
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Tropic of Cancer
When the sun is at this position (23.5°N latitude) the Earth experiences the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Summer Solstice). (Same time, winter solstice in Southern Hemisphere).
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Tropic of Capricorn
When the sun is at this position (23.5°S latitude) the Earth experiences the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (Winter Solstice). (Same time, summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere).
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Subsolar Point
The point at which the sun is directly overhead.
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Weather
Atmospheric conditions at any given time and place.
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Climate
Weather conditions over time for a particular area or region of the Earth.
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Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma
The states of matter are…
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Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide
Prominent gases in the atmosphere.
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Nitrogen
Most prominent gas in the atmosphere (78%).
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Albedo
The reflectivity of anything.
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32%
The albedo of Earth is…
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Barometer
Instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
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About 0.2% to about 4%
Water vapor variation in the atmosphere.
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Troposphere
The layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface. (main focus of geographers -- up to 9 miles thick)
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Stratosphere
Second closest atmospheric layer to the Earth’s surface. (extends to about 31 miles above the surface)
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Mesosphere
Layer of atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere. (third closest to the Earth’s surface -- up to 53 miles above)
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Thermosphere
Atmospheric layer located between the mesosphere and the ionosphere (fourth closest layer to the surface -- between 53 and 372 miles above the ground)
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Ionosphere
Atmospheric layer located between the thermosphere and the magnetosphere (fifth closest layer to the surface -- between 50 and 600 miles above the ground)
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Magnetosphere
Atmospheric layer furthest from the surface and the outer edge of the Earth’s magnetic field (Van Allen Radiation Belt).
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Solar Constant
The amount of incoming radiation from the sun (approx. 2 calories/centimeter squared/minute)
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Isotherms
Lines of equal temperature.
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Conduction
The process by which heat is directly transmitted to a substance when there is a difference in temperature between adjoining substances.
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Convection
The transfer of heat by circulation or movement of the heated parts of liquid and gas -- where hotter, less dense material will rise; colder, dense material will sink.
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Thermometer
Instrument that measures temperature.
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Anemometer
Instrument that measures wind direction and speeds.
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Psychrometer
Instrument that measures relative and specific humidity.
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Pyranometer
Instrument that measures solar radiation.
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Evaporation Pan
Instrument that measures evaporation rates.
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Fahrenheit scale
Water boils at 212° and water freezes at 32°.
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Celsius scale
Water boils at 100° and water freezes at 0°.
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mid-afternoon
The maximum temperature generally occurs around…
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just before sunrise
The coolest temperature (in general) recorded in a 24 hour period occurs…
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Isobars
Lines of equal atmospheric pressure.
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more, stronger
The _____ pressure variation, the _____ the wind.
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high, low
Air moves from _____, to _____ pressure.
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source
Winds are named after the…
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Local winds
Winds driven by local effects (ex. sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes)
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Santa Ana Winds
Strong, extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California.
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Nor’easters (Northeasterlies)
Storms along the east coast of North America where the winds are strong from the northeast. (may occur at anytime, but most often from September to April)
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Chinook Wind
Warming dry wind off the leeward side of a mountain range that can cause a rapid rise in temperature.
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Cyclone
A low pressure cell → air converges and rises from the center.
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Anticyclone
A high pressure cell → air descends to the center and diverges.
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clockwise outspiral
In the Northern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…
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counterclockwise inspiral
In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…
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counterclockwise outspiral
In the Southern Hemisphere, anticyclones form winds moving in a…
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clockwise inspiral
In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones form winds moving in a…
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Air mass
A body of air in which upward gradients of temperature and moisture are relatively uniform for large areas.
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A front
Surface of contact between two unlike air masses.
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The Jet Stream
The core of the upper air westerlies.
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Rossby Wave
Undulations in the jet stream.
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Winter Monsoon
Dry weather caused by high pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (very dry)
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Summer Monsoon
Wet weather caused by low pressure cells and seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation. (lots of moisture)
Studied by 26 people
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