1. The Physical Regions of Western Canada

2. Types of Rock
-Igneous -Sedimentary -Metamorphic

3. Igneous Rock
Rock formed from the hardening of molten material (magma/lava)
Intrusive-formed beneath the Earth’s surface (from magma)
Extrusive-formed above the Earth’s surface (from lava)

4. Metamorphic Rock Rock changed from its original form: Heat Pressure
Erosion

5. Sedimentary Rocks Rock made of sediment deposited in layers which
have formed together

6. The Canadian Shield
Shield: large masses of hard rock that other areas of the continents have formed
largest and oldest region of Canada
once as high as the Himalayas; eroded down
Mostly Igneous rock and metamorphic rock
Many minerals (copper, gold, lead and nickel),
not very suitable for agriculture.

7. The Interior Plains
The area between the Canadian Shield and the Rocky Mountains
Sedimentary rock made from eroded material from the Canadian Shield
Other layers were created from deposits of plants and animals
Formed deposits of fossil fuels (oil and natural gas)

8. The Western Mountains
The Rockies The Coastal Mountains The Insular Mountains

9. Parallel mountain ranges separated by plateaus and valleys
The Rockies and the Coastal Mountains were formed by plate collision that caused the Earth to rise.
Plate tectonics also created valleys, plateaus, and trenches
River and glacial erosion sculpted the rough landscape
many minerals: copper, gold and coal

10. The Climates of Western Canada
Continental climate: the climate of a continent’s interior
Temperature extremes
Low precipitation
Maritime climate: a coastal climate
Mild temperatures
High precipitation

11. Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude: determines the amount and intensity of sunlight it receives.
North: sun rays hit the Earth at a lower angle
Length of days vary more from season to season
Higher temperatures in the south than in the north

12. The higher the altitude, the colder the temperature
Every 150m rise in altitude = 1 degree drop in temperature

13. 3. Distance from the Sea
Land surface warms up and cools down faster than the water surface
Large land masses has more extreme temperatures
High temperatures in the summer
Low temperatures in the winter
Areas near the water have more moderate temperatures

14. 4. Wind Direction Winds blowing from the sea have a moderating effect
Winds blowing off the land bring with them the extreme weather
The West Coast of Canada is the only area with temperatures above ‘0’ in the winter

15. 5. Ocean Currents
Ocean currents are warm or cold depending where they come from
Currents warm or cool the air that passes over it
Warm air can hold more water than cold air

16. Precipitation The amount of precipitation in an area depends on:
its distance from the sea
Prevailing winds
There are 3 types of precipitation:
Orographic
Convectional
Frontal

17. Orographic Precipitation
Windward Side
Moist air rises and moves up the mountain
As the air cools, the vapour condenses, forming clouds and then rain falls
Leeward Side
As the air descends on the eastern side, it becomes warm and dry (the rainshadow)
The descending air warms and picks up moisture
Very common in the Western Mountains region

18. Convectional Precipitation
Convectional precipitation results from the heating of the earth's surface that causes air to rise rapidly. As the air rises, it cools and moisture condenses into clouds and precipitation.
Very common in the prairie provinces.

19. Frontal Precipitation
Frontal precipitation results when the leading edge( front) of  a warm air mass meets a cool air mass. The warmer air mass is forced up over the cool air. As it rises the warm air cools, moisture in the air condenses, clouds and precipitation result.
This precipitation is common in Atlantic Canada.