Geography Mastery Lab

Front 1

Map scale

Back 1

the relationship between the distance on the map and the distance on the surface of the earth.

Front 2

Small scale maps

Back 2

show a relatively large area so the fine details are lost.

Front 3

Large scale maps

Back 3

show a relatively small area and the details are more apparent.

Front 4

Thematic maps

Back 4

illustrate the spatial relationship of a characteristic or between related characteristics

Front 5

Isolines

Back 5

connect data points of equal value

Front 6

maps

Back 6

convey information in a visual format that in most cases would be hard to describe in detail.

Front 7

cartography

Back 7

map making

Front 8

latitude

Back 8

determines north and south

Front 9

longitude

Back 9

determines east and west

Front 10

contour map

Back 10

a map using isolines

Front 11

topography

Back 11

relief

Front 12

contour interval

Back 12

the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines

Front 13

interpolation

Back 13

approximating what or where the unknown data points are most likely to be.

Front 14

topographic maps

Back 14

locations of water bodies, schools, roads, mines, and many other physical and cultural features can be found on this type of map.

Front 15

baseline

Back 15

east-west

Front 16

principal meridian

Back 16

north-south

Front 17

standard parallels

Back 17

established parallel to the baseline

Front 18

townships

Back 18

run parallel to baselines

Front 19

range lines

Back 19

run parallel to principal meridians.

Front 20

aphelion

Back 20

when we are closest to the sun

Front 21

perihelion

Back 21

when we are farthest away from the sun

Front 22

albedo

Back 22

the amount of reflected radiation, varies depending on the surfaces color, texture, and composition.

Front 23

greenhouse effect

Back 23

explained by the absorbed radiation by molecules, dust, and clouds

Front 24

greenhouse gases

Back 24

absorb heat from the sun's rays which warm the atmosphere.

Front 25

global warming

Back 25

when people release more greenhouse gases the atmosphere absorbed more heat than is released.. leading to: _______

Front 26

seasonality

Back 26

occurs because the angle of the sun changes over the course of a year, which affects the amount of insolation received at a given location

Front 27

sun angle

Back 27

the main factor affecting insolation

Front 28

Circle of illumination

Back 28

the circle on the globe dividing daylight and night

Front 29

vernal (spring) equinox

Back 29

the transition to longer days in the northern hemisphere. March 20/21

Front 30

Autumnal equinox

Back 30

the transition to shorter days in the northern hemisphere. September 22/23

Front 31

Winter solstice

Back 31

when the day is the shortest. December 22/23

Front 32

Summer solstice

Back 32

when the day is the longest. June 21/22

Front 33

Energy flux

Back 33

transfer of energy

Front 34

radiation

Back 34

transfer of energy via electromagnetic waves

Front 35

non-radioactive fluxes

Back 35

conduction, convection

Front 36

conduction

Back 36

the transfer and distribution of heat energy through molecular collisions.

Front 37

convection

Back 37

a heat transfer that occurs from movement of a heated liquid or gas.

Front 38

sensible heat flux

Back 38

the gain or loss of energy by conduction between the surface and the part of the atmosphere that is directly in contact with the surface.

Front 39

ground heat flux

Back 39

heat transferred below the surface of the ground

Front 40

latent heat flux

Back 40

gain or loss of energy of water through a phase change

Front 41

Latitudinal temperature gradient

Back 41

change in temperature with distance from the equator.

Front 42

Atmospheric pressure

Back 42

the force from the weight of the air on the earth's surface

Front 43

millibars

Back 43

mb, unit of measurement for atmospheric pressure

Front 44

high pressure systems

Back 44

exert a great amount of pressure because the air is moving downward toward the surface

Front 45

low pressure systems

Back 45

areas where air is moving upward

Front 46

pressure gradient

Back 46

caused by two areas that have different atmospheric pressures

Front 47

westerlies

Back 47

flow from the west

Front 48

easterlies

Back 48

flow from the east

Front 49

Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Back 49

an area of low pressure surrounding the equator

Front 50

doldrums

Back 50

area where there's not much wind

Front 51

subsolar point

Back 51

where the sun is directly overhead.

Front 52

coriolis effect

Back 52

rotational force caused by the spinning of the earth.

Front 53

absolute humidity

Back 53

the actual amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a weight per unit volume

Front 54

maximum humidity

Back 54

the maximum amount of water vapor that an air parcel can hold at a given temperature

Front 55

relative humidity

Back 55

the ratio of absolute humidity to the maximum humidity

Front 56

Relative Humidity Equation

Back 56

RH=(AH/MH) X 100

Front 57

Heat index

Back 57

refers to what the temperature feels like

Front 58

dew point temperature

Back 58

the temperature of the air to which it must be cooled in order to condensate

Front 59

saturation curve

Back 59

a graph displaying how much water vapor a parcel of air can hold at different temperatures

Front 60

meteorologist

Back 60

scientists who study weather

Front 61

air mass

Back 61

large bubble of air

Front 62

adiabatic processes

Back 62

related to changes in pressure caused by changes in altitude

Front 63

dry adiabatic lapse rate

Back 63

1 degree celsius per 100 meters change in altitude

Front 64

wet adiabatic lapse rate

Back 64

.5 degrees celsius per 100 meters

Front 65

orthographic lifting

Back 65

the forced uplift of an air mass as it pushes against a mountain range.

Front 66

level of condensation

Back 66

the air temperature equals the dew point temperature

Front 67

supersaturation

Back 67

the dew point cannot be greater than the air temperature

Front 68

rain shadow

Back 68

temperature is higher than the initial value the air mass is warmer and drier

Front 69

convectional lifting

Back 69

the process of a warm air mass lifting up through the atmosphere because it is warmer than the surrounding air and is less dense

Front 70

unstable air mass

Back 70

when an air mass possesses different heat or moisture properties

Front 71

environmental lapse rate

Back 71

rate of cooling

Front 72

weather

Back 72

refers to the state of the atmosphere at any given time and place on the surface of the earth

Front 73

climate

Back 73

based on average or prevailing weather conditions

Front 74

air mass

Back 74

a volume of air with nearly constant moisture and temperature characteristics throughout

Front 75

coriolis force

Back 75

causes air to flow in a circular direction because of the rotation of the earth

Front 76

cyclone

Back 76

low pressure system, counterclockwise rotation

Front 77

anticyclone

Back 77

high pressure system, clockwise rotation

Front 78

pressure gradient

Back 78

causes wind to flow in the direction of high to low pressure

Front 79

front

Back 79

when air masses with different temperature and moisture characteristics collide it creates a ______

Front 80

frontal boundary

Back 80

when masses of air resist mixing they create a ______

Front 81

frontal precipiation

Back 81

when the warmer, denser air is forced upward it causes _______

Front 82

cold front

Back 82

occurs where a cold mass advances toward a warm air mass and forces the warmer air upward

Front 83

warm front

Back 83

occurs where a warm front advances toward a cold air mass and forces the cooler air upward

Front 84

occluded front

Back 84

arises when cold and warm fronts merge, resulting in a warm pocket of air above cold air at the surface.

Front 85

stationary front

Back 85

the boundary between two different air masses

Front 86

mid latitude cyclone

Back 86

a well developed low pressure system that migrates across the continent as part of the jet stream.

Front 87

meteorology

Back 87

the study of short term changes and events in the atmosphere.

Front 88

climatology

Back 88

the study of longterm average of prevailing weather conditions

Front 89

Köppen system

Back 89

bases climate classes on the broad response of vegetation to variations in temperature and precipitation

Front 90

LACEMOPS

Back 90

Latitude, Air masses, Continentality, Elevation, Mountain barriers, Ocean currents, Pressure systems, and Storm tracks

Front 91

Latitude (in terms of LACEMOPS)

Back 91

determines the intensity of solar radiation received. This has a large effect on maximum and minimum temperatures and ranges

Front 92

Air masses (in terms of LACEMOPS)

Back 92

help determine how much moisture will be present in the atmosphere

Front 93

Continentality

Back 93

the degree of ___ of how far a location is from a body of water, has a direct bearing on moisture availability and temperature range

Front 94

Elevation

Back 94

effects temperatures and the amount of precipitation at a location

Front 95

Mountain barriers

Back 95

a station's location relative to mountains effects the amount of precipitation it receives.

Front 96

Ocean currents

Back 96

while their impact on climate is local, ocean currents modify coastal temperatures and favor the development of fog along coasts.

Front 97

Pressure systems

Back 97

high and low pressure systems play significant roles in determining how much precipitation a location receives.

Front 98

Storm tracks

Back 98

the paths taken by low-pressure cyclones are a major factor in determining where precipitation occurs.

Front 99

Climograph

Back 99

type of graph that summarizes the climate of an area by depicting average monthly precipitation and temperatures.

Front 100

Biome

Back 100

defined as a geographical area constrained by climate with ecologically similar communities of plants and animals.

Front 101

Ecotone

Back 101

the transition between major biomes

Front 102

biogeography

Back 102

the study of the distribution of plants, animals, and organisms over space and time

Front 103

biodiversity

Back 103

the number of species present in a given area

Front 104

slope

Back 104

refers to the steepness of the landscape

Front 105

infiltration

Back 105

water percolating into the earth

Front 106

aspect

Back 106

refers to the direction a slope faces

Front 107

microclimate

Back 107

the small-scale climate of a place

Front 108

water holding capacity

Back 108

refers to the amount of water a particular soil can hold

Front 109

riparian zone

Back 109

the area immediately adjacent to a river or stream

Front 110

vertical zone

Back 110

refers to the adjustment of vegetation in response to a change in elevation

Front 111

treeline

Back 111

the line of elevation where trees can no longer grow

Front 112

plant succession

Back 112

the progression of plant species at a given location through time

Front 113

pioneer species

Back 113

the species initially inhabits the area

Front 114

climax vegetation

Back 114

when the progression of species reaches its ultimate complexity

Front 115

alpine biome

Back 115

at high altitudes

Front 116

permafrost

Back 116

permanently frozen layer

Front 117

weather

Back 117

refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific location at a given time

Front 118

climate

Back 118

describes the average atmospheric conditions for a specific area

Front 119

paleoclimatology

Back 119

the study of past climates

Front 120

globally synchronous

Back 120

occurred at the same time all over the earth's surface

Front 121

dendrochronology

Back 121

the study involves the study and dating of annual tree growth rings

Front 122

annual ring

Back 122

the addition of one ring for each growing season

Front 123

complacent ring series

Back 123

where ring widths remain consistent

Front 124

signature

Back 124

common to both

Front 125

composite/ master chronology

Back 125

covering a longer period of time

Front 126

palynology

Back 126

the study of pollen

Front 127

stratigraphy

Back 127

study of layers (sediments, soils, or rock layers)

Front 128

ice core

Back 128

long tubular samples of ice and snow accumulations taken from ice sheets or glaciers

Front 129

law of superposition

Back 129

the idea that the deepest layers are the oldest

Front 130

geomorphology

Back 130

study of evolution and continuing change of landforms at many scales

Front 131

geology

Back 131

the study of materials that make up the earth and the processes acting upon them

Front 132

plate tectonics

Back 132

two parts of the outer layer

Front 133

lithosphere

Back 133

earth's outer crust

Front 134

asthenosphere

Back 134

soft part of the mantel

Front 135

convergent boundaries

Back 135

colliding

Front 136

divergent boundaries

Back 136

spreading

Front 137

transform boundaries

Back 137

moving laterally

Front 138

subduction zone

Back 138

where one part of the crust sinks below the other

Front 139

minerals

Back 139

naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids with definite chemical composition

Front 140

rocks

Back 140

assemblage of materials

Front 141

rock cycle

Back 141

explains the dynamic change through time of the three different rock types: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.

Front 142

sedimentary rocks

Back 142

formed by the deposition and consolidation of loose sediment, carbonate remains, or similar consolidation of secretions from plants and small organisms

Front 143

igneous rocks

Back 143

formed by the cooling of molten earth material or magma

Front 144

metamorphic rocks

Back 144

rocks that have been mineralogially, structurally, or chemically altered by high pressures and/or

Front 145

pyroclastic

Back 145

bits of magma that are ejected during a volcanic eruption and cool rapidly

Front 146

glaciology

Back 146

study of glaciers

Front 147

stratigraphic correlation

Back 147

the relationship between stratigraphy and landform evolution

Front 148

strata

Back 148

layers

Front 149

cliff and bench topography

Back 149

many different layers of each rock type that are shown when land is eroded.

Front 150

fluvial geomorphology

Back 150

how rivers and streams shape Earth's surface

Front 151

drainage basin

Back 151

land area where all runoff goes toward a particular stream

Front 152

drainage divide

Back 152

partition between drainage basins

Front 153

non-point source pollution

Back 153

pollution from the land or air that ends up in the river

Front 154

point source pollution

Back 154

pollution that is directly added into the river

Front 155

stream gradient

Back 155

slope

Front 156

drainage density

Back 156

density of drainage channels in a given area

Front 157

radial

Back 157

drainage pattern of a conical volcano

Front 158

braided stream

Back 158

runoff over a relatively flat landscape

Front 159

dendritic

Back 159

looks like branches of a tree

Front 160

cutbanks

Back 160

individual meanders

Front 161

point bars

Back 161

sandbars

Front 162

oxbow lake

Back 162

water isolated from the river channel

Front 163

floodplains

Back 163

alluvial rivers leave their channels and spread onto

Front 164

naturally levees

Back 164

when water spreads onto the floodplain and the current slows down significantly

Front 165

sediment load

Back 165

amount of sediment a stream carries

Front 166

dissolved sediment

Back 166

carried in solution

Front 167

suspended sediment

Back 167

floating along the stream

Front 168

bed load

Back 168

larger particles that roll or bounce across the channel bottom

Front 169

meandering stream

Back 169

often appears muddy due to high dissolved and suspended sediment loads supplied from silt and clay deposits

Front 170

aggredation

Back 170

sediment deposition to raise channel bed elevation

Front 171

degredation

Back 171

erosion or downcutting of stream bed

Front 172

graded stream or river

Back 172

a stream at equilibriam

Front 173

hydraulic geometry

Back 173

the relationship of a channel's morphology and flow rate

Front 174

discharge

Back 174

factors listed vary with the amount of water flowing in the channel

Front 175

glaciers

Back 175

slow moving massive rivers of ice found in regions cool enough to keep all snow from melting in the summer

Front 176

firn

Back 176

a granular substance somewhere between snow and ice

Front 177

alpine glaciers

Back 177

are found in mountain terrain

Front 178

continental glacier

Back 178

cover a broader area on a continent

Front 179

ice sheets

Back 179

continental glaciers that cover an area greater than 20k miles squared.

Front 180

glacials

Back 180

times when global clmate was warm and glaciers melted or retreated

Front 181

erosional landforms

Back 181

created by way of one or two processes-abrasian and/or plucking

Front 182

abrasian

Back 182

a form of mechanical weathering by which the glacier scrapers, grinds, and carves the land.

Front 183

plucking

Back 183

another form of mechanical weathering occurs when the glacier tears large boulders from the ground as it passes over it

Front 184

glacial erratics

Back 184

when the glaciers retreat and the boulders remain and become a depositional feature

Front 185

depositional landforms

Back 185

formed when the glacier melts and retreats leaving behind material it picked up when it formed

Front 186

glacial till

Back 186

sediment deposited by a glacier

Front 187

remote sensing

Back 187

the measurement of properties of a subject without physical contact with it

Front 188

headland

Back 188

a promontory that juts into the ocean or sea and thus is surrounded on three sides of water

Front 189

wave refraction

Back 189

the process through which waves are focused and bent around headlands

Front 190

retrogradation

Back 190

the process which a shoreline retreats through erosion

Front 191

progradation

Back 191

outward extension of the shoreline through deposition of sediment

Front 192

offshore

Back 192

the nearshore zone that is permanently submerged and where waves break

Front 193

foreshore

Back 193

the nearshore zone that is regularly exposed and submerged through the tidal fluctuations and movement of surf

Front 194

berm scarp

Back 194

a miniature cliff created by wave erosion that fronts a beach berm

Front 195

backshore

Back 195

the part of the beach that lies between the berm scarp and foredune and is covered by water only during strong storms

Front 196

spit

Back 196

a linear bank of land that extends into a bay made by the deposition of longshore sediment

Front 197

baymouth

Back 197

a spit that entirely encloses a bay

Front 198

lagoon

Back 198

a brackish body of water that lies behind a baymouth bar

Front 199

tombolo

Back 199

a spit or sandbar that connects an island to the mainland

Front 200

foredune

Back 200

a dune that forms parallel to the shore when sand blows inland from the beach

Front 201

barrier island

Back 201

an elongated bar of sand that forms parallel to the shore for some distance

Front 202

coral reefs

Back 202

resistant marine ridges or mounds consisting largely of compacted coral together with algal material and biochemically deposited calcium carbonates

Front 203

zone of accumulation

Back 203

the geographical area where snow accumulates and feeds the growth of a glacier

Front 204

zone of ablation

Back 204

the part of a glacier where melting exceeds snow accumulation

Front 205

equilibrium line

Back 205

the place of a glacier where snow accumulation and melting are in a balance

Front 206

crevasse

Back 206

a deep crack in a glacier

Front 207

plateau

Back 207

a very broad horizontal surface that is upheld by resistant caprock

Front 208

canyon

Back 208

a very steep-sded valley that is cut into bedrock

Front 209

evulsion

Back 209

the act of an extreme change

Front 210

mesa

Back 210

a broad horizontal surface, smaller than a plateau, that is upheld by resistant caprock

Front 211

butte

Back 211

a steep-sided hill or peak that is often a remnant of a plateau or mesa

Front 212

pinnacle

Back 212

a steep-sided narrow tower that is the final reminant of a plateau, mesa, or butte

Front 213

playa

Back 213

a dried lake bed that forms when runoff collects in closed topographic depressions in arid regions

Front 214

arroyo

Back 214

a deep, steep-sided gully that is cut into alluvium

Front 215

alluvial fan

Back 215

a fan shaped landform of low relief that forms where a stream flows out of an area of high relief into a broad, open plane where the gradient is less and less deposition thus occurs.

Front 216

eolian processes

Back 216

geomorphic processes associated with the way that wind erodes, transports, and deposits sediment

Front 217

deflation

Back 217

removal of sediment from a surface by wind action

Front 218

desert pavement

Back 218

a resistant, pavement like surface created when fine particles blow away and coarse sediment such as pebbles and gravel are left behind

Front 219

deflation hollow

Back 219

a depression created by wind erosion

Front 220

abrasion

Back 220

erosion that occurs when particles grind against each other.

Front 221

ventifact

Back 221

an individual rock that is pitted, grooved, or streamlined through wind abrasions

Front 222

yardangs

Back 222

ridges that are sculpted and streamlined by wind abrasion and deflation

Front 223

backslope

Back 223

the gradual slope of a dune that faces the prevailing winds

Front 224

crest

Back 224

the highest point of a dne

Front 225

slip face

Back 225

the steep slop that lies on the leeward side of a sand dune at the angle of repose

Front 226

loess

Back 226

windblown silt

Front 227

parent material

Back 227

the sediment that the soil forms in

Front 228

glaciers

Back 228

large masses of ice that flow under their own weight

Front 229

ventifacts

Back 229

small rocks that have been abraded by sand grains entrained in the wind

Front 230

yardangs

Back 230

large elongated erosional features

Front 231

deflation basin (blowouts)

Back 231

low lying areas in which sand has been eroded or deflated.

Front 232

ripples

Back 232

formed under equilibrium conditions between the wind and the particle size of the sand.

Front 233

sand dunes

Back 233

large accumulations of sand

Front 234

proxy data

Back 234

indirect evidence of an event