Spatial Perspective - To observe the physical and human characteristics of our planet as they vary over space, looking specifically for patterns and processes.

Physical Geography - Study (description) of the physical earth OR The spatial analysis of the physical elements and processes that make up the environment: energy, air, water, weather, climate, landforms, soils, animals, plants, and the Earth itself.

System - A system is any ordered, interrelated set of materials or items that work together as an organized whole.

Atmosphere - The system of gases above the Earth that regulate energy and moisture flows to the surface of the Earth.

Hydrosphere - The system of water movement and storage in the oceans, atmosphere, land surface and ground.

Lithosphere - The system of earth materials and the processes that form them (bedrock, volcanic materials and activity, earth movement, soils)

Biosphere - The system of living things and their interaction on the planet.

Open System - An Open system can have flows, in or out, of materials or energy.

Closed System - A Closed System does not gain or loose energy or material.

Dynamic Equilibrium - When different components of the system, though often changing, continue to find a balance (I.e., input = output).

Negative Feedback - A Feedback loop that tends to slow or counter a response to an input to the system and helps promote self-regulation (helps keep system in balance).

Positive Feedback - A Feedback loop that tends to increase the effect of an input to a system and can lead to increased change.

Ecosystem - A system in which various interconnected living and non-living components in an area of the Earth work together.

Natural Hazard - A natural occurring event that poses danger to humans.

Human Induced Hazard - Human activity (e.g., pollution) that poses danger to the environment and by consequence, other humans.

Plane of the Ecliptic - The plane that intersects the orbit of the Earth (and most other planets in our Solar System.

Revolution - The movement of the Earth around the Sun. A complete revolution takes 365.25 days.

Rotation - The turning of the Earth on its own axis.

Perihelion - The position of the Earth when it is closest to the Sun.

Aphelion - The position of the Earth when it is farthest from the Sun.

Geoid - A model of the Earth that allows for a "bumpy" surface. (Defined by variations in satellite rotation around the Earth in response to gravity differences.)

Great Circle - Circle formed by the intersection of a sphere and a plane that passes through the center of the sphere.

Small Circle - Circle formed by the intersection of a sphere and a plane that does not pass through the center of the sphere.

Equator - The great circle made up of the set of points equidistant (midway) between the poles.

Latitude - Distance north or south of the equator.

Longitude - Distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Prime Meridian - Half circle from pole to pole running through Greenwich, England which defines 0o Longitude.

Cartography - The art and science of making maps.

Rhumb Line - The line of constant compass heading

Reference Map - A map that shows what features are found in an area (like roads, airports, cities, countries, rivers; often used for navigation) "What is Where?"

Thematic Map - A map that shows information about a special topic (such as climate, population, incidents of crime, or ...) "Where is What?"

Isoline Map - A map made up of lines that join points of equal value (An example is a contour map which has lines of equal elevation)

Topographic Maps - Reference maps with contours or other indication of the topography (land shape)

Bathymetric Maps - Topographic maps that show water depth and the topography of the ocean bottom.

Global Positioning System (GPS) - A system of orbiting satellites which provide location coordinates to GPS receivers on Earth.

Digital Cartography - Use of computers to aid in the process of making maps (aka Desktop Mapping)

Remote Sensing - The acquisition of data from a distance (e.g., aerial photography and satellite imagery)

Geographic Information Systems - The use of computers to combine maps with data about the features on the maps for the purpose of managing and analyzing the mapped data.

Chapter 8

Geomorphology - The study of the Earth's surface features (landforms) and the processes that form them.

Tectonic Processes - The processes that build up the Earth though crustal plate movements.

Gradational Processes - The processes that wear down the Earth's surface features through weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and deposition.

Subduction Zone - Where two crustal plates meet and the more dense plate dives under the other plate

Continental Shield - The generally old, low-lying centers of continental crust which have not been tectonically active for a very long time.

Hot Spot - A place where the upward movement of hot mantle material leads to an isolated zone of volcanic activity (often island formation).

Slope - The inclination or tilt of the Earth's surface in an area (0deg.-90deg.).

Relief - The measure of elevation gain in a set area (from low point to high point.)