1. Intro to Physical Geography and Climate

2. The Physical Earth Lithosphere – Earth’s crust and solid upper mantle.
Hydrosphere – Water (70% of the Earth’s surface)
Atmosphere – Envelope of gases
Biosphere – refers to all life on Earth

4. Lithosphere Broken up into tectonic plates
The movement of these plates shapes the Earth’s surface.

6. Hydrosphere > 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water
97% of this water is in the oceans
Most of the remaining 3% is frozen in the polar ice caps.
Less than 1% is found in the Atmosphere, ground water, lakes or streams

7. The Water Cycle

8. Currents Ocean currents occur at the surface and below
@ the Equator the Earth’s rotation pushes surface water toward the west – sets in motion large circular surface currents
Water heated by the sun moves toward the poles
The Gulf Stream carries warm water towards Great Britain making it warmer than it normally would be
Under the surface, cold water sinks, then slowly moves toward the Equator, pushing warmer water away
This water slowly absorbs heat
Circulation takes hundreds of years

10. The Atmosphere The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth
Absorbs solar radiation
Moderates temperature
Distributes water