Download GEO 102: Landscape Processes and Patterns - Lecture Notes - Prof. Miriam L. Fearn and more Lab Reports Geography in PDF only on Docsity! 1 GEO 102, Landscape Processes and Patterns CLASS MEETS MTWRF, 10:20-12:15 You MUST also be registered for GEO 102L Lab LAB LOCATED IN ILB 213 LABS MEET MTWR STARTING TODAY Teacher: Dr. Mimi Fearn Syllabus Text used in both GEO 101 and 102 Attendance policy: BE HERE EVERY DAY Roll taking procedure Quizzes and Exams See class schedule and point system Class Schedule Power point presentations are on my web page www.usouthal.edu/geography/fearn What is Geography? geo = earth, graphy = writing or description Geographers concerned with "what is where and why is it there"? Physical geography is a spatial science concerned with distribution of natural features on the earth's surface. Geography is a spatial science concerned with distribution of natural and cultural features on the earth's surface. Seeks to explain observed spatial distributions. Brief History of Geography Ancient Greeks interested in geography = study of terrestrial earth cosmography = study of skies “Geography” as term used by Eratosthenes (Greek) 250 B.C Worked at library at Alexandria (Egypt) accurately determined circumference of earth 25,000 miles (40,000 km) Dark Ages After Roman empire collapsed (500 A.D.-1500 A.D.) Age of exploration 1500 A.D. Geographic knowledge = $$$$ Alexander Von Humboldt (1800) Father of Physical Geography Traveled extensively…Americas, Russia Mapped soils, animals, vegetation, oceans, climate Modern day sciences are highly specialized Geography still "holistic" (inclusive across disciplines) 2 Four components of the earth system Earth Facts Size and shape Oblate spheroid 25,000 miles (40,000 km) in circumference Highest place = Mt. Everest: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) high Highest place = Mt. Everest: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) high Why is it there? Lowest place = Marianas Trench: 7 miles (11 km) deep Why is it there? http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/marianas.html 5 Longitude of Mobile ≈ 88° 3’ W. One degree of longitude does NOT = 69 miles, except along the Equator. Longitude lines do not stay the same distance apart. They are closer together near the poles than at the Equator. Location of any place on earth can be expressed in latitude / longitude. Examples: Mobile, 30° 42‘ N, 88° 03‘ W Sydney, Australia, 33° 55‘ S, 151° 17‘ E Anchorage, Alaska, 61° 12‘ N, 149° 48‘ W Must include designation N, S, E, or W Latitude written first, then longitude LATITUDE 0° 90° N 90° S Mobile 30° 42’ N 30° 42’ S What is the latitude/longitude of the exact opposite place on earth to Mobile? LONGITUDE 0° N P East Mobile 88° W 180° West 18 0° - 8 8° 92° E Where is 30° 42’ S, 92° E ? 6 Latitude Longitude Geographic grid GRATICULE Graticule: the pattern of parallels and meridians on a globe 1.Parallels are straight east-west lines 2.Meridians are straight north-south lines 3.Parallels are equally spaced and never intersect one another 4.Meridians are farthest apart at the Equator and come together at the poles 5.Parallels and Meridians cross at right angles Turning the spherical globe into a flat map... MAP PROJECTIONS Planar projection Surface is a flat “plane” For all projections, point or line where surface touches globe (tangency) has least distortion Graticule? Cylindrical projection: Surface is a cylinder Graticule ? Conic projection: Surface is a cone Standard Parallel Graticule ? 7 Types of maps Most maps are thematic maps Show information about specific topic (theme) World distribution of earthquakes Information shown on a map can be qualitative That means the THEME has NO VALUES Generalized Geology of Alabama Qualitative means the THEME has NO VALUES Information shown on a map can be quantitative That means the THEME has VALUES Isostatic Rebound after Deglaciation Quantitative means the THEME has VALUES Bathymetry (water depth) of Weeks Bay in Baldwin County, AL Qualitative or quantitative ?
