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Introduction To Physical Geography

This document provides an overview of key concepts in geography. It discusses geography as a science that studies relationships between natural systems, areas, society, and culture. It also outlines important geographic concepts like location, place, region, and human-earth relationships. Additionally, it describes earth systems thinking, spheres, latitude, longitude, maps, projections, remote sensing using passive and active methods, and geographic information systems.

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138 views38 pages

Introduction To Physical Geography

This document provides an overview of key concepts in geography. It discusses geography as a science that studies relationships between natural systems, areas, society, and culture. It also outlines important geographic concepts like location, place, region, and human-earth relationships. Additionally, it describes earth systems thinking, spheres, latitude, longitude, maps, projections, remote sensing using passive and active methods, and geographic information systems.

Uploaded by

RubyBarnachea
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Essentials of Geography

Danny M. Vaughn, Ph.D., CMS

MODIS
Natural Color
10/11/00
Essentials of Geography
• The Science of Geography.  
• Earth Systems Concepts.  
• Location and Time on Earth.  
• Maps, Scales, and Projections. 
• Remote Sensing and GIS.  
The Science of Geography
• Geography – from geo “Earth” and
graphein “to write.” 
• Geography is –
– A method, not a body of knowledge.
– Holistic.
– Eclectic.
• Geographers use spatial analysis.
• Geographers use Earth systems science.
Geography is –
• The science that studies the relationships
among
– Natural systems.
– Geographic areas.
– Society.
– Cultural activities.
– Interdependence of all of these over space.
Geographic Science is –

• Location – Where are the spatial objects?


• Place – Tangible & untangible living/nonliving
characteristics.
• Central Park, N.Y.
• Region – Uniform physical characteristics.
• Colorado Plateau.
• Human-Earth Relationships – How does each impact the
other?
• Desert SW & Navajo Americans lifestyle.
• Movement – Energy exchanges, physical/human movement.
• Winds, ocean currents, human relocation.
Physical Geography is –
• The spatial analysis of all the physical elements and processes
that make up the environment.

Process – actions resulting in a change.


Governed by – physical, biological, chemical laws.

Climate Weather Environment


Energy Air Water
Landforms Soils Plants
Animals
• Geographers use
the scientific
method.
Earth Systems Concepts

• System – ordered, interrelated objects functioning


as a unit. 
• Open systems – energy & matter flow into & out
of the system.
• Closed systems – energy flows in & out of the
system.
Systems
• Positive feedback – encourages system response,
higher discharge, more sediment transported.
• Negative feedback – more volcanism, cooled
temperatures.
• System Equilibrium – a maintenance of structure
over time through energy-material exchanges.
Earth’s Four Spheres
Earth Shape
 
• Oblate Ellipsoid – flattened at the poles, bulging at the
equator.
 
• Greater centrifugal force at the equator (faster rotation).

• Geoid – sea level surface in balance between gravitational


attraction & centrifugal pull due to rotation.
Earth’s dimensions
Measuring Earth in 247 B.C.
Location and Time on Earth  
• Latitude.
• Longitude.
• Great circles.
• Prime Meridian and standard time.
Latitude
Longitude
Great Circles and Small Circles
Latitudinal Geographic Zones
• Greenwich Mean Time – World standard (UT) time.
Longitude (prime meridian) established by International
Meridian Conference, Washington, D.C., 1884.

• Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) – standardized by


French in 1912, determined by the International Bureau of
Weights & Measures (Paris).

• Daylight savings time – Spring forward (lengthens


daylight time), fall back.

International Date Line –

West crossing – one day ahead.


East crossing – one day behind.
Prime Meridian and Standard Time  
Maps, Scales, and Projections  
• Map – a generalized view of an area, as seen from
above and reduced in size.
Cartography – map making.
• Scale – ratio of map units to ground units.
Descriptive, graphic, & representative fraction.
• Projection – process of
transforming spherical Earth to
flat map.
• Earth can not be projected
without distortion of its:
Shape, area, distance, &/or
direction.
Properties of the spherical (Earth) graticule –
 
• Latitudes are parallel, evenly spaced along meridians
(longitudes), & decrease in length poleward.

• Meridians converge at the poles & decrease in length to a


point at the poles.

• Parallels & meridians intersect at 90º.


Classes of
Projections
Remote Sensing
• Active remote sensing.
• Passive remote sensing.
Active and Passive Remote Sensing

Passive sensing Active sensing


visible light. RADAR.
Remote Sensing

• MODIS sensor on board a TERRA


Satellite, June, 2001.
Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) 
• GIS systems combine spatial and attribute
data. 
• Maps can contain multiple data layers:
– Physical features.
– Cultural features.
• Layers can be added to create composite
overlay.
GIS System

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