Geography

Geography 105 with Siers at Central Michigan University

About this deck

By: A.J. Root
Textbook:

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (7th Edition)
Created: 2010-02-03
Size: 38 flashcards
Views: 41

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5 fundamental themes

location
place
movement
region
human-earth relationship

Earths radius

approximately 4000 miles

earths highest point above sea level

30,000'

deepest point below sea level

36,000'

earths circumference

24,900 miles

polar diameter

7,900 miles

equatorial diameter

7,927 miles

Longitude and latitude

gives us a means of developing a grid system on this planet to allow us to determine absolute location.

Gnomos

center of the earth

Latitude

Angular distance N or S of equator

Longitude

Angular distance E or W

meridian

line connecting all points of same longitude (runs north and south)

Antipode

point on earth that is exactly opposite of given point.

International Dateline

at 180* meridian

Great circle

any circle of earths circumference whose center coincides with gnomos.

Speed of light

186,000 miles per second

Plane of the ecliptic

plane including all points of earth's orbit

perihelion

closest position to the sun (January 3rd)

aphelion

farthest position from the sun (July 4th)

Solar wind

an electrically charged gas--radiated from sun in addition to light and heat.

Magnetosphere

our outer defense against solar wind.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

a graphic representation of electromagnetic energy wavelengths.

Insolation

intercepted solar radiation

Solar Constant

average value of insolation recieved at Thermopause when Earth is at its average distance from the sun.

Declination

angular distance from the Equator to the subsolar point.

Subsolar point

point recieving insolation perpendicular to the surface.

Circle of illumination

divides Earth into 2 hemispheres--one light, one dark

Properties of a globe

Parallels are parallel to each other
Meridians coverage at both poles
Distance between meridians decreases towards poles
Parallels and meridians always cross each other at right angles.

Globe

the only true representation of distance, direction, area, shape and proximity.

Map projection

means by which data is transfered from curved surface to flat.

2 properties that CANNOT be accurate on the same map

Equivalence
Conformality

Isogonic lines

lines connecting points of equal declination

Agonic line

line connecting points of NO declination

Contour Line

connects all points of same elevation

Contour interval

difference in elevation between 2 adjacent contour lines.

Zenith

point directly overhead

Nadir

point directly beneath

GIS--Geographic Information System

A computer-based data processing tool or method for gathering, manipulating and analyzing geographic information.

About this deck

By: A.J. Root
Textbook:

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (7th Edition)
Created: 2010-02-03
Size: 38 flashcards
Views: 41

About StudyBlue

“I have been getting MUCH better grades on all my tests for school. Flash cards, notes, and quizzes are great on here. Thanks!”
Kathy