1 Notes - Physical Geography

Geography of Canada

Physical Geography

Planet Earth

1. Plate Tectonics 2. Geologic History3. Earth’s Interior4. Rock Cycle

Note 2.1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Continental Drift was a theory proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1915.

He was a Meteorologist in Germany.

He stated that the continents had moved, but could not explain what made them move.

He proposed the idea of Pangea, meaning “All Land”. This is the meeting of the continents.

Note 2.1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

Wegener used the following evidence to support his theory:

1. The jigsaw puzzle fit of the continents

2. Similar fossils in South America and Africa

3. Similar mountains in both Atlantic Canada and the U.K.

4. Evidence of ice sheets in India, Africa, and South America

Alfred Wegener

Movement of the Plates

Write an article as if you were a reporter from 1915. The subject is Alfred Wegener. You either support him, are curious about him, or think he is a nutcase.

Marks for discussing his theory, and stating a clear opinion.

So-called Scientist found buried in research

Continenta

l Drift

Pangaea

Alfred WegenerRespected Scientist

Antarctica

THE CONTINENTS TODAY

Note 2.2 Plate Tectonics

In 1967, J. Tuzo Wilson, proposed the idea of Plate Tectonics.

He proposed that the continents are ontop of plates, or large masses of rock. Theplates are moved by a force called Convection currents.

He used earthquake data to determine where the boundaries of plates are.

Plate Tectonics is widely accepted amongscientists today.

Plate Tectonics Map

Earth’s InteriorCrust- 8-64 km thick- cold & fragile- Granite and Basalt

Mantle- 1800 km thick- hot & molten- Magnesium and Silicon

Outer Core- 2000 km thick- 3 - 4000°C- liquid Nickel and Iron

Inner Core- 1400 km thick- 5 - 6000°C- solid Nickel and Iron

Air

Land

Water

LITHOSPHERE

HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE

Plate Tectonics Processes

Plate Tectonics Separating



Plate Tectonics Colliding

Plate Tectonics Colliding

Plate Tectonics Sliding




Plate Tectonics Earthquakes and the Richter Scale

• Less than 3.5 Generally not felt, but recorded.• 3.5-5.4 Often felt, but rarely causes damage.• Under 6.0 At most slight damage to well-

designed buildings.• 6.1-6.9 Can be destructive in areas up to about

100 kilometers across.• 7.0-7.9 Major earthquake. Can cause serious

damage over larger areas.• 8 or greater Great earthquake. Can cause serious

damage in areas several hundred kilometers across.

Note 2.2 The Rock Cycle

IGNEOUSSEDIMENTARY

ROCKMETAMORPHIC

ROCK

W.E.D. = Weathers, erodes, and deposits

SEDIMENT

Melts

W.E.D.

Melts Cools

Pressure W.E.D. W.E.D.

Melts

Heat & Heat & PressurePressure

Heat & Heat & PressurePressure

MAGMA

Granite

Igneous Rock

Sediment

Sedimentary Rock

Metamorphic Rock

Note 2.3 Geologic History• Precambrian EraDuring this era, the hot earth cooled to form mounds of rock called Shields. Volcanic activity continued to change the landscape.

Volcanism

Ancient SeaIgneous Rock

Fault

Note 2.3 Geologic History

• Paleozoic Era

Igneous Rock

Erosion Erosion

SedimentsSediments

During this era, water, wind and glaciers eroded the Shield, creating sediments that fell into the sea around the rock. These sediments built up and were compressed into sedimentary rock.

Note 2.3 Geologic History • Mesozoic Era

ErosionSediments

Sediments

Mountains Forming

Igneous Rock

Tectonic forces pushed weaker sedimentary rock against the igneous rock, causing it to buckle, creating mountains.

Note 2.3 Geologic History• Cenozoic Era

Mountains Forming

Igneous Rock

Sedimentary Mountains

Eroding

Sedimentary Plains

PACIFIC OCEAN

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

INTERIOR PLAINS

CANADIAN SHIELD

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Continuous forces of erosion and mountain-building have created Canada as we know it.

Page 100 # 2-8

Note 2.4 - Climate and Weather

Weather

• is the condition of the atmosphere which lasts over a short time period and for a small area

• consists of characteristics such as temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, and air pressure.


Climate

• is the condition of the atmosphere which lasts over a long time period (usually many years) and for a large area.

• consists of the same characteristics as weather (such as temperature, precipitation, air pressure, etc.)


What's the difference?

• The time period considered - weather describes atmospheric conditions over a few days, or it can change hour by hour, while climate describes conditions over many years (usually 20 years is the standard).

• The land area involved- weather is localized (it can be raining in Brampton but sunny in Mississauga) but climate is regionalized (all of Southern Ontario has the same climate).

• Climate is "average weather"


Great terms to know:

Precipitation – any form of water that falls from the sky

Average Annual Temperature – daily average temperatures added up and averaged over a year.

Temperature Range – The highest temperature minus the lowest (e.g 25° - 5° = a 20° range)

Total Precipitation – Add up the precipitation

Continental Climate - climate away from a large body of water

Higher Temperature Range (more than 25 degrees)Cold winters and hot summersLess precipitation (less than 1000 mm per year)e.g. Winnipeg

Maritime Climate - climate near a large body of water (and I mean big!)

-Low temperature range-Mild winters, cooler summers-More precipitation (more than 1000 mm per year)-E.g. Vancouver

Note 2.6 - Factors Affecting Climate

LOWER

Near Water

LatitudeOcean CurrentsWinds

Elevation

ReliefUrban Centres

• Closer to the EQUATOR the HOTTER the weather will be.

• The FURTHER away from the Equator, the colder the weather will be.

Latitude

• Cold ocean currents make the weather COLD. Even close to the Equator.

• Warm ocean currents make the weather warmer.

Ocean Currents

• The strength and direction of winds can change PRECIPITATION (Rain & Snow).

• Winds also carry clouds. Clouds carry precipitation (Rain & Snow).

Winds

• The HIGHER above sea level you get (UP a MOUNTAIN), the COLDER it gets.

• Often why there is SNOW on tops of MOUNTAINS.

Elevation:

The SHAPE of the land affects precipitation patterns.

On the “windward” side of mountains and hills, there is more rain. e.g. Vancouver is a very rainy place.

Relief:

• The closer you are to water, the more MODERATE your weather is. This means WARMER WINTERS and COOL SUMMERS.

• Provinces closer to the Ocean:

1. British Columbia2. Nova Scotia3. P.E.I.4. New Brunswick5. Newfoundland

Near Water:

• Concrete and asphalt retain heat, warming up the city

• The heat creates thunderstorms

Urban Centres

Movement of Storm

Cool air descendsand replaces

warm air

Thermal PrecipitationNote 2.6Types of Precipitation

Thermal PrecipitationA.K.A. Convectional Precipitation

Warm areas of land or water heat the air above.Hot air rises and cools. Cooler air is pushed down. Clouds form and rain falls.This is the cause of most thunderstorms.

Thermal Precipitation

Rain

Cool airWarm air

Warm air

the ground

Warm air rises over cold air; it expands and cools, condenses,clouds form and it rains/snows

This line represents the front separating warm air from cold air

Frontal Precipitation

Frontal PrecipitationA.K.A. Cyclonic Precipitation

Cool and warm air meet. Warm air cools. Clouds form and rain falls where the two fronts meet.

Frontal Precipitation

When air rises the pressure on it decreases;

it expands and cools

When the air descends the pressure on it increases; the air contracts and warms

Pre

ssur

e de

crea

ses P

ressure increasesLittle or no rain

Dry wind

Rain

Moist wind

Sea the ground

Relief Precipitation

Rain Shadow

Relief PrecipitationA.K.A. Orographic Precipitation

Warm moist air is forced up by a mountain or hill. Air is cooled and rain or snow falls.

ReliefPrecipitation

Vegetation near Vancouver

Rain Shadow – near Drumheller Alberta

Note 2.5 - Climate Graphs

Climate Graphs are used to show average monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation.

They are a quick way to learn about an area's climate.

Temperature is always shown with a redline.

Precipitation is always shown with a bluebar graph.

With many climate graphs, we also include the temperature range, average monthly precipitation, and total annual precipitation.

Note 2.5 - Climate Graphs (continued)

For an area with a maximum average monthly temperature of 25ºC and a minimum average monthly temperature of -16ºC, calculate the temperature range.

25º C – (-16º C) = 41 º CTry another one! Maximum temperature is 15ºC Minimum temperature is -3ºC

15º C – (-3º C) = 18 º C

Note 2.8 – Components of SoilM - Minerals

(tiny rock fragments)

O - Organic Materials(bacteria, fragments of dead organisms, dried up roots, poo, etc)

M – Moisture

A - Air

Note 2.9 Coniferous and Deciduous Trees

Coniferous Trees- Often know as "evergreens" and as "softwoods"- Usually covered in needles- Often bear cones- Include pine, spruce, cedar

Deciduous Trees- Lose leaves in autumn- Often known as "hardwoods"- Covered in broad leaves- Include maple, oak, birch

Note 2.10 National Parks

National Parks are a country-wide system of representative natural areas of Canadian significance. By law, they are protected for public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment while being preserved in an unimpaired state for future generations.

Extent of National Parks

Currently, there are over 45 National Parks and Reserve Areas in Canada.

The smallest park is 8.7 km2 and the largest is 44 802 km2.

Currently, 2% of Canada's land mass is protected in National Parks. The goal is 3%.

Types of Parks

Preservation a) little human activityb) research is on-goingc) protects the environment

Conservation a) limited human activity (supervised)b) educates the public about the

environment

Recreation a) often involves camping / beachesb) humans enjoying nature

Morraine Lake, Banff National Park

Polar Bear at Cape Churchill (Wapusk National Park)

Forillon National Park

Mountains of Glacier National Park of Canada

Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Prince Edward Island National Park

Sirmilik Glacier, Sirmilik National Park

Riding Mountain National Park

Flowerpot Island, part of Fathom Five National Marine Park.

Notes/Handouts you can copy for students

Rain

Cool airWarm air

Warm air

the ground

Pre

ssur

e de

crea

ses P

ressure increasesLittle or no rain

Dry wind

Rain

Moist wind

Sea the ground

Geologic History

• Precambrian EraVulcanism

FaultAncient Sea

Igneous Rock

Geologic History

• Paleozoic Era

Igneous Rock

Erosion Erosion

SedimentsSediments

Geologic History

• Mesozoic Era

ErosionSediments

Sediments

Mountains Forming

Igneous Rock

Geologic History

• Cenozoic Era

Mountains Forming

Igneous Rock

Sedimentary Mountains

Eroding

Sedimentary Plains

PACIFIC OCEAN

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

INTERIOR PLAINS

CANADIAN SHIELD

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Note 2.3 The Rock Cycle

W.E.D. = Weathers, erodes, and deposits

Earth’s InteriorAir

Land

Water

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1 Notes - Physical Geography