PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AGENDA About Physical Geography Earth Spheres

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

AGENDA �About Physical Geography �Earth Spheres �Geologic History

YOU’RE STUDYING WHAT NOW? �Physical Geography examines processes and patterns in the natural environment. �Geology studies of the Earth’s physical structure. �Geomorphology studies various landforms, h 0 w they were created, and how they are changing. (geo = Earth, morph = change, ology = study of) Some Related Fields of Study: �Pedology: the study of soil �Meteorology: the study of weather �Climatology: the study of climate

BREAK IT DOWN… �The study of the physical geography of Earth is divided into four main categories called “spheres”. �What do you think they are? Discuss! More sphere info here: http: //www. cotf. edu/ete/ESSspheres. html

LITHOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE BIOSPHERE

EARTH SPHERES �Lithosphere: The Earth’s landmass (non-living). (mountains, deserts, prairies, volcanoes) �Hydrosphere: The Earth’s water system. (rivers, lakes, oceans, seas) �Atmosphere: The air surrounding the Earth. (atmospheric layers: e. g. troposphere, stratosphere) �Biosphere: The living organisms on Earth. (animals, plants, fungus, etc. )

OTHER COMMON SPHERES �What do they mean? �Cryosphere: � All of the Earth’s ice. � Glaciers, ice caps, snow, etc. � Technically part of which sphere? �Anthrosphere: � All of the Earth’s humans! � Yes, we have our own sphere. � Technically part of which sphere?

GEOLOGIC HISTORY Just a quick 4. 6 billion years in the making!

GEOLOGIC HISTORY �Earth’s physical landscape is shaped by conflict between forces that build the land higher and those that wear it down. �The Geologic Timeline: � The Earth is about 4. 6 billion years old. � The geologic history of Earth is divided into 4 time periods called eras. � Each era represents a time of massive physical change. � The eras are: Pre-Cambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic

The Mesozoic era was the “time of the dinosaurs” Their extinction marked the end of the Mesozoic and beginning of the Cenozoic.

THROUGH THE ERAS… �Precambrian Era � 4. 6 billion until approximately 600 million years ago � 4. 6 b – Earth formed. Magma, volcanoes, meteors � 3. 4 b – water world, granite continents, shifting landmass �Canadian Shield forms here. � 2 b – Life! First single-celled organisms: stromatolites. � 1 b – First supercontinent! (Rodinia) � 700 m – “Snowball Earth” extinction event (ELE #1). � 650 – ends as Earth thaws and Rodinia breaks up…

THROUGH THE ERAS… �Paleozoic Era � 570 million until approximately 245 million years ago � 500 m – oxygen production higher, ozone layer forms � 300 m – Precambrian Explosion! (swampland, life, etc. ) �Fossil fuels originate here. � 250 m – magma plume, massive volcanic activity results in the Permian Extinction (ELE #2). �Canada Note: Appalachian Mountains formed at this time.

THROUGH THE ERAS… �Mesozoic Era � 245 million until approximately 66 million years ago � 225 m – second supercontinent forms: Pangaea �Prairies and other lowlands originate here. �Rocky Mountains begin to rise. � Age of the dinosaurs! � Ends with meteorite hitting earth and more intense volcanic activity (ELE #3).

THROUGH THE ERAS… �Cenozoic Era � 66 million years ago through today… � Mammals and humans appear � Canada is in its familiar place/shape! � Several ice ages take place. �Last ice age ends about 11, 000 years ago � 11, 000 – present: modern humans! � Ends with zombie apocalypse E. L. E. ?

Or more likely, this happens… TODAY