Coriolis Force
Coriolis force, also known as Coriolis effect, is an apparent force created due to the Earth’s rotation. It causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to veer to the right and those in the Southern Hemisphere to veer to the left.
Temperature Concepts and Measurement
Heat and temperature are not the same. Heat is a form of energy that flows from one system or object to another because the two are at different temperatures. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy (motion) of individual molecules in matter.
The Hydrologic Cycle
The hydrologic cycle describes the global flow of water to and from oceans, land, and atmosphere. Water moves by evaporation, precipitation, and runoff.
River Capture
If there are two adjacent rivers and one is more powerful than the other, then the more powerful river may capture its weaker neighbor. For this to happen, the more powerful river must flow at a lower level and it must erode its channel, both headward and vertically, at a faster rate than its neighbor.
Weathering Processes: Unveiling the Earth’s Surface Evolution
Weathering is a fundamental process that shapes the Earth’s surface, impacting rocks both at the surface and below. It involves the disintegration and dissolution of rocks through physical and chemical processes. While weathering does not transport materials, it generates them for erosion and transportation by various agents like water, wind, waves, and ice, all under the influence of gravity.
Coasts: Where Land and Sea Meet
The shore, where the ocean meets the land, is the immediate boundary between the two. However, the term “coast” encompasses a larger area that includes not just the sandy beach but also the marshes, sand dunes, cliffs, sandbars, and troughs near the shoreline. In total, the world’s coastline stretches for approximately 440,000 kilometers (273,000 miles).
Unveiling the Forces Behind Tsunamis
Tsunamis, derived from the Japanese words “tsu” (harbor) and “nami” (wave), are long-wavelength, shallow-water progressive waves caused by the sudden displacement of ocean water. They can result from various sources, including seismic activity, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, and other direct disturbances to the water surface.
Understanding the Fascinating Dynamics of Ocean Waves
The wave crest represents the highest point above the average water level, while the wave trough is the valley between two crests below the average water level. Wave height measures the vertical distance between a crest and its adjacent trough, while wavelength denotes the horizontal distance between successive crests or troughs. Understanding these parameters helps us analyze and comprehend the behavior of ocean waves.
Understanding Earth’s Surface Relief Features: A Window into the Dynamic Topography
To facilitate description and analysis, geographers classify the landscape’s topography into three orders of relief. These orders categorize landforms based on their scale, ranging from vast ocean basins and continents to local hills and valleys.
Measuring Earth in 247 B.C.: Eratosthenes’ Remarkable Calculation
At noon on June 21 in Alexandria, Eratosthenes measured the angle of a shadow cast by an obelisk, a perpendicular column. By knowing the height of the obelisk and measuring the length of the Sun’s shadow from its base, he solved the triangle and determined that the angle of the Sun’s rays was 7.2° off from being directly overhead.
The True Shape of Earth: Unveiling the Geoidal Reality
Newton argued that our planet, along with other celestial bodies, could not be flawlessly spherical. His reasoning was based on the more rapid rotation at the equator, causing an equatorial bulge due to increased centrifugal force.
Coral Reefs: A Look into the Tiny Creatures and Conditions for Survival
Discover the fascinating world of coral reefs in warm tropical waters, where tiny creatures like coral polyps, algae, shell-forming animals, and plants thrive in colonies.
Types of Plain
There are several types of plains, including coastal plains, interior plains, and floodplains. Coastal plains are formed by sediment deposition along coastlines, while interior plains are created by tectonic activity or erosion. Floodplains are low-lying areas adjacent to rivers that are subject to periodic flooding and are rich in nutrients for agriculture.
Types of Plateaus
Plateaus are elevated uplands with level surfaces that descend steeply to the surrounding lowlands. While all highlands are subjected to erosional processes, plateaus can be classified into three types based on their mode of formation and physical appearance. Tectonic Plateaus These plateaus are formed by earth movements that cause uplift and are typical of considerable […]
Latitude and Longitude
Longitude refers to the angular distance of a point on the earth’s surface, in degrees, along the equator, either east or west of the Prime Meridian, as illustrated in Figure 1(a). The lines of longitude, also known as meridians, are depicted as a series of semi-circles that run from pole to pole and intersect the equator.