Unit One: Physical Patterns and Processes
If you are enrolled in 3rd period, Unit 2 begins on Monday, August 17th and ends on Thursday Sept. 3rd
If you are enrolled in 5th or 8th period, Unit 2 begins on Tuesday, August 18th, and ends on Friday, Sept. 4th
Each class period we'll examine a different topic associated with the physical geography. Here are the list of the themes, or topics, arranged by the date:
8/17 (A day) or 8/18 (B day)-How Changes in Societies have Led to Diverse Uses of Physical Features
8/19 (C day with small groups)-Weather Conditions and Climate in Relation to Annual Changes in Earth-Sun Relationships
8/20 (A day) or 8/21 (B day)-Physical Processes that Affect the Environments of Regions
8/24 (A day) or 8/25 (B day) -Physical Processes that Affect the Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere
8/26 (C day with small groups)
8/27 (A day) or 8/28 (B day)-How Elevation, Latitude, Wind Systems, Ocean Currents, Position of a Continent, and Mountain Barriers influence Temperature, Precipitation, and Distribution of Climate Regions
8/31 (A day) or 9/1 (B day)-(1)Different Land Forms and Physical Processes that Cause their Development and (2) The Influence of Climate on the Distribution of Biomes
9/2 (C day with small groups)
9/3 (A day) or 9/4 (B day)-(1) Significance of Major Technological Innovations that Modify the Environment and (2) THe Impact of New Information Technologies
9/7 Labor Day
If you are enrolled in 5th or 8th period, Unit 2 begins on Tuesday, August 18th, and ends on Friday, Sept. 4th
Each class period we'll examine a different topic associated with the physical geography. Here are the list of the themes, or topics, arranged by the date:
8/17 (A day) or 8/18 (B day)-How Changes in Societies have Led to Diverse Uses of Physical Features
8/19 (C day with small groups)-Weather Conditions and Climate in Relation to Annual Changes in Earth-Sun Relationships
8/20 (A day) or 8/21 (B day)-Physical Processes that Affect the Environments of Regions
8/24 (A day) or 8/25 (B day) -Physical Processes that Affect the Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere
8/26 (C day with small groups)
8/27 (A day) or 8/28 (B day)-How Elevation, Latitude, Wind Systems, Ocean Currents, Position of a Continent, and Mountain Barriers influence Temperature, Precipitation, and Distribution of Climate Regions
8/31 (A day) or 9/1 (B day)-(1)Different Land Forms and Physical Processes that Cause their Development and (2) The Influence of Climate on the Distribution of Biomes
9/2 (C day with small groups)
9/3 (A day) or 9/4 (B day)-(1) Significance of Major Technological Innovations that Modify the Environment and (2) THe Impact of New Information Technologies
9/7 Labor Day
17 August (A day)- 18 August (B day)
How Changes in Societies have Led to Diverse Uses of Physical Features
The Three Gorges Dam was built to control flooding on the Yangtze River and produce hydroelectric power for China.
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Societal Changes that Lead to Development of the Environment
-increased demand for agricultural production -new technologies introduced to produce energy -policies to deal with flooding -population increases -increased industrialization |
Deforestation is a major ecological issue in the Amazon River Basin. As Brazil's population increases there is more of a demand for farm land.
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review these 2 documents and watch the 2 videos:
An eight question multiple-choice reading review is found on the class Schoology site.
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Geography" folder
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Geography" folder
19 August (C day)
Weather Conditions and Climate in Relation to Annual Changes in Earth-Sun Relationships
The Earth's tilted axis causes the seasons. Throughout the year, different parts of Earth receive the Sun's most direct rays. So, when the North Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And when the South Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en/ |
review these 2 documents and watch the 2 videos:
(2015) video from the California Academy of Sciences
(3:16) on why seasons occur |
An eight question multiple-choice reading review is found on the class Schoology site.
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Geography" folder
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Geography" folder
20 August (A day) - 21 August (B day)
Physical Processes that Affect the Environments of Regions
Physical Processes that Affect the Environments of Regions
The Ring of Fire is a string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity, or earthquakes, around the edges of the Pacific Ocean. Roughly 90% of all earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, and the ring is dotted with 75% of all active volcanoes on Earth.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado contains the tallest sand dunes in North America
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There are three main types of plate boundaries:
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(2020) National Geographic video (5:01) on earthquakes
A glacier looks like a solid block of ice, but it is actually moving very slowly. As it moves it transforms the land beneath it.
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What is soil?
. . . soil is a mixture of minerals, dead and living organisms (organic materials), air, and water. These four ingredients react with one another in amazing ways, making soil one of our planet’s most dynamic and important natural resources. from https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics |
An eight question multiple-choice reading review is found on the class Schoology site.
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Processes & Environment" folder
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Physical Processes & Environment" folder
24 August (A day)- 25 August (B day)
Physical Processes that Affect the Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere
Physical Processes that Affect the Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere
(2016) ABC News video (1:36) on the formation of Hurricanes
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The lithosphere is the solid surface of Earth, including the soil and the continents
The hydrosphere is the water areas of Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, ground water, glaciers and water vapor The biosphere is the areas of Earth that support plant and animal life The atmosphere is the gaseous area of air surrounding Earth |
(2015) National Geographic video (2:50) on El Nino effect
El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Trade winds and atmosphere are also impacted by El Niño.
from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/el-nino/ |
An eleven question multiple-choice reading review is found on the class Schoology site.
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Lithosphere, Atmosphere" folder
click the world geography folder for this date and find the "Lithosphere, Atmosphere" folder
26 August (C day)
Review of previous material & social studies skills
Review of previous material & social studies skills
27 August (A day) -28 August (B day)
How Elevation, Latitude, Wind Systems, Ocean Currents, Position of a Continent, and Mountain Barriers influence Temperature, Precipitation, and Distribution of Climate Regions
How Elevation, Latitude, Wind Systems, Ocean Currents, Position of a Continent, and Mountain Barriers influence Temperature, Precipitation, and Distribution of Climate Regions
Locations in higher elevations experience cooler temperatures and high amounts of precipitation in the form of snow.
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Latitude has a significant impact on temperature with locations nearest the equator experiencing high temperatures and those near the poles experiencing cold temperatures.
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(2019) TED-Ed video by Jennifer Verduin on Ocean Currents
Wind systems serve to move warm or cool air across the earth’s surface and to distribute precipitation* around the globe.
*Precipitation is water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, hail or snow.
from USGS.gov. |
Mountain barriers have a great effect on precipitation. As air rises to pass over a mountain barrier it releases moisture as the air cools. This creates a wet side or windward side and a dry side or leeward side to mountain barriers.
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(2020) KCBS new story (:25) on extreme weather in Southern California
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Click the Climograph button above
Step 1: When you see the map of the US, click the "+" in the bottom right to see the names of the cities Step 2: Click the red icon nearest the city Step 3: Scroll down to see the Climograph and weather information Step 4: Compare the climate information for these three cities-(1) El Paso, Texas (2) San Francisco, California (3) Dallas, Texas Step 5: note wettest, coldest, hottest months for each city |
31 August (A day)- 1 September (B day)
(1)Different Land Forms and Physical Processes that Cause their Development and
(2) The Influence of Climate on the Distribution of Biomes
Part I. The Formation of Land Forms
This is a photograph of the Great Rift Valley in the country of Kenya.
A rift valley is formed when tectonic plates move away from each creating a divergent boundary. Some rift valleys fill with water- the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal is a rift valley.
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This is a map of the Nile River Delta where it reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
A delta is formed by a combination of water erosion and soil building. As a river flows closer to the sea, water erosion causes the river to "fan-out". The river also adds fertile soil to the delta making it an a good place to grow food.
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This is a photograph of a fjord in the country of Norway.
A fjord is formed by glacial erosion. Centuries ago the water in the fjord was ice. As the ice melted, it carve a deep valley that was filled in by the sea. Since fjords are deep, large ships can sail into them during storms for safety, or to transport tourists.
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This is a photograph of Wiakiki Beach and the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. The mountain in the distance, named Diamond Head, is actually part of an extinct volcano. The Hawaiian Islands were formed as part of a great chain of volcanoes that rose from the seafloor.
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Part II. THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF BIOMES
Biomes or ecosystems are defined by a specific community of plants and animals that inhabit that region. Biomes are classified into four main categories: forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
This is a photograph of a mid-latitude temperate deciduous forest. Maple, Oak and Beech trees are found here.
Temperate Deciduous Forests are found in the mid latitudes where the climate is characterized by plentiful rainfall, moderate temperatures, and cool winters. Characterized by trees that lose their leaves after changing colors in the fall.
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This is a photograph of the Lincoln National Forest outside of Cloudcroft, NM. Much of the Lincoln National Forest is temperate coniferous forest made up of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, and Junipers
Temperate Coniferous Forest are found in temperate climate zones where the summers are warm and the winters are cool and rainfall is adequate. Evergreens predominate and these forests can be found in coastal areas that experience mild winters and heavy rainfall as well as inland in mountainous areas.
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This is a photograph of the Siberian Taiga in the country of Russia.
The Taiga or Boreal Forest is the world’s largest biome is located in the highest northern latitudes where average temperatures and average precipitation are low and are characterized by evergreen coniferous forests. Animals living in this biome must adapt to very cold temperatures.
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This is a photograph of El Yunque* Tropical Rain Forest on the island of Puerto Rico. It is the only tropical rain forest in the United States.
Tropical Rain forests are found in tropical areas near the equator where the climate is characterized by plentiful rainfall and warm year-round temperatures. This biome is home to a great variety of plant and animal life.
* El Yunque is a reference to Yuke, a term that meant "white lands" to the island's original inhabitants.
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These photographs show the Serengeti National Park in the country of Tanzania. Much of the park is on a savanna.
Savannas are a type of grassland found in climates that experience low levels of rainfall, yet have a little more than steppes and therefore have some trees. Savannas are home to a variety of large animal species.
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This is a photograph of the Mongolian Steppe in the country of Mongolia. The white tents are called yurts.
Steppes are a type of grassland found in climates that are experience low levels of rainfall, therefore there is an absence of trees. This biome is home to large grazing animals.
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This is a photograph of the Chihuahua Desert. El Paso, Texas is located in this desert.
Deserts are distinguished by a lack of rainfall, usually less than ten inches per year and can be hot or cold. These climate conditions require the plants and the animals in this biome to adapt to the extreme conditions.
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This is a photograph of a tundra.
Permafrost, or frozen subsoil, makes it difficult to sustain plant life in this biome; therefore, this biome lacks trees and is distinguished by small shrubs and low growing plants. Found almost entirely in the Northern Hemisphere near the Arctic Ocean, it is characterized by low amounts of precipitation and extremely cold temperatures. Plants have adapted to the colder climate conditions and thrive in the short summer and spring. Animals in this region are few and must adapt to the extreme climate conditions.
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9/2 (C day) Makeup Day
for students who have been absent, or are new to the class, or want a 4th attempt to improve their grade
3 September (A day)-4 September (B day)
(1) Significance of Major Technological Innovations that Modify the Environment and
(2) The Impact of New Information Technologies
Innovations in Transportation
This is a photograph of a replica of Union Pacific 119 . The original Union Pacific 119 was one of the two steam-powered locomotives that met at Promontory Point, Utah to connect the 1st Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.
Railroads have allowed for faster transportation of goods to market and the settlement of people to varied locations, examples include the Trans-Siberian Railroad, the Trans-Canadian Railroad and the Transcontinental Railroad
This is a photograph of the Japanese Shinkansen which translates into "bullet train". Shinkansen can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour.
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This is a photograph of the 113 mile-long "Overseas Highway" which connects Southern Florida with the island of Key West. On maps (look at the map below) the highway is labeled U.S. Route 1.
Highways and roads have facilitated the transportation of goods to market and allowed for economic activities to move from city centers such as the Interstate Highway System in the United States and the Interoceanic Highway in South America
This map shows how U.S. Route 1 links a chain of small islands called "keys". Key West Island is the Southernmost Point in the contiguous United States (not counting Hawaii or Alaska or Caribbean Territories).
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Innovations in Energy
These wind turbines provide powered to customers in Southern California.
Wind/Solar Power allow for the renewable creation of energy
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The Kerr Dam (also called Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam) generates hydroelectric power for customers in Montana. Flathead Lake behind the dam provides the moving water that turns the turbines (see the diagram)
Dams/Hydroelectric Power provide for widespread access to electricity and control of flooding
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These are off-shore oil-drilling platforms. Petroleum is a valuable resource, so oil companies spend millions search for, then removing, petroleum from underwater oil fields (see the diagram below)
Oil drilling/Hydraulic fracturing increase the amount of oil extracted; may have environmental implications
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This is a photograph of 3 Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania. In 1979, a mechanical failure caused radiation to leak from the facility. It is still the most important nuclear accident in US History. Because of the accident, the US does not rely on nuclear power as much as other countries.
Nuclear power provides an alternative source of energy, but poses a risk for human exposure to radiation
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Innovations in Communication
Internet has allowed information to be easily accessible worldwide.
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Global Positioning System (GPS) allows for the transmission of location and weather information. Has facilitated precision in location and aided in navigational systems. Application of GPS technology has been used by the military as well as businesses and individuals.
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have integrated data to produce charts, maps, and globes allowing for the visualization of geographic data that can be used to analyze relationships and patterns
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