Physical Geography [11 ed.] 2015960923, 9781305652644

Table of contents :
Preface
Foreword to the Student
Brief Contents
Contents
List of Major Maps
Author Biographies
Ch 1: Physical Geography: Earth Environments and Systems
The Study of Geography
Physical Geography
Geographic Tools and Technology
Major Perspectives in Physical Geography
Using Models and Systems
Physical Geography and You
Chapter 1 Activities
Ch 2: Representations of Earth
Maps and Location on Earth
The Geographic Grid
Maps and Map Projections
Modern Mapmaking
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Multispectral Remote Sensing
Chapter 2 Activities
Map Interpretation: Topographic Maps
Ch 3: Solar Energy and Earth-Sun Relationships
The Solar System and Beyond
The Earth-Sun System
Insolation, Sun Angle, and Duration
Chapter 3 Activities
Ch 4: The Atmosphere, Temperature, and Earth's Energy Budget
The Nature of Our Atmosphere
Energy Transfer Processes
Earth's Energy Budget
Air Temperature
Weather and Climate
Complexity of Earth's Energy Systems
Chapter 4 Activities
Ch 5: Atmospheric Pressure, Winds, and Circulation Patterns
Atmospheric Pressure
Cells of High and Low Pressure
Wind
Global Pressure and Wind Systems
Global Wind Systems
Upper Air Winds and Jet Streams
Regional and Local Wind Systems
Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions
Chapter 5 Activities
Ch 6: Humidity, Condensation, and Precipitation
The Hydrologic Cycle
Water in the Atmosphere
Sources of Atmospheric Moisture
Condensation, Fog, and Clouds
Adiabatic Heating and Cooling
Precipitation Processes
Distribution of Precipitation
Precipitation Variability
Chapter 6 Activities
Ch 7: Air Masses and Weather Systems
Air Masses
Fronts
Atmospheric Disturbances
Chapter 7 Activities
Map Interpretation: Weather Maps
Ch 8: Global Climates and Climate Change
Classifying Climates
Climate Change
Recent Climate Change
Chapter 8 Activities
Graph Interpretation: The Koppen Climate Classification System
Ch 9: Low-Latitude and Arid Climate Regions
Humid Tropical Climate Regions
Arid Climate Regions
Chapter 9 Activities
Ch 10: Midlatitude, Polar, and Highland Climate Regions
Mesothermal Climate Regions
Microthermal Climate Regions
Polar Climate Regions
Highland Climate Regions
Chapter 10 Activities
Ch 11: Biogeography
Ecosystems
Environmental Controls
Classification of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Forest Biomes
Grassland Biomes
Desert Environments
Arctic and Alpine Tundra
Marine Ecosystems
The Resilience of Life Forms
Chapter 11 Activities
Ch 12: Soils and Soil Development
Major Soil Components
Soil Characteristics
Development of Soil Horizons
Factors Affecting Soil Formation
Soil-Forming Regimes
Soil Classification
Soil as a Critical Natural Resource
Chapter 12 Activities
Ch 13: Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics
Earth's Planetary Structure
Earth Materials
Plate Tectonics
Geologic Time and Paleogeography
Chapter 13 Activities
Ch 14: Tectonism and Volcanism
Introduction to Geomorphology
Tectonics Forces, Structures, and Landforms
Earthquakes
Igneous Processes and Landforms
Distribution of Endogenic Processes
Chapter 14 Activities
Map Interpretation: Volcanic Landforms
Ch 15: Weathering and Mass Wasting
Nature of Exogenic Processes
Weathering
Variability in Weathering
Mass Wasting
Weathering, Mass Wasting, and the Landscape
Chapter 15 Activities
Ch 16: Subsurface Water and Karst
Nature of Underground Water
Springs
Using Groundwater Resources
Landform Development by Solution
Chapter 16 Activities
Map Interpretation: Karst Topography
Ch 17: Fluvial Processes and Landforms
Surface Runoff
The Stream System
Flow Properties
Fluvial Processes
Channel Patterns
Fluvial Landscapes
Rivers, Lakes, and People
Quantitative Fluvial Geomorphology
Chapter 17 Activities
Map Interpretation: Fluvial Landforms
Ch 18: Arid Region and Eolian Landforms
Surface Runoff in the Desert
Water as a Geomorphic Agent in Arid Lands
Wind as a Geomorphic Agent
Sand Dunes
Loess Deposits
Landscape Development in Deserts
Chapter 18 Activities
Map Interpretation: Desert Basin Landforms
Map Interpretation: Eolian Landforms
Ch 19: Glacial Systems and Landforms
Glacier Formation and the Hydrologic Cycle
Types of Glaciers
How Do Glaciers Flow?
Glaciers as Geomorphic Agents
Alpine Glaciers
Continental Glaciers
Glacial Lakes
Periglacial Landscapes
Chapter 19 Activities
Map Interpretation: Alpine Glaciation
Map Interpretation: Continental Glaciation
Ch 20: Coastal Processes and Landforms
The Coastal Zone
Origin and Nature of Waves
Coastal Geomorphic Processes
Types of Coasts
Islands and Coral Reefs
Change over Time
Chapter 20 Activities
Map Interpretation: Active-Margin Coastlines
Map Interpretation: Passive-Margin Coastlines
Appendix A: International System of Units (SI), Abbreviations, and Conversions
Appendix B: Topographic Maps
Appendix C: Understanding and Recognizing Some Common Rocks
Glossary
Index