Physical Geography
Physical geography covers the topics relating to the surface of the earth - the landforms, glaciers, rivers, climate, oceans, earth-sun interaction, hazards, and more.
Dew Point
An overview of dew point, which represents the temperature at which the air is completely saturated with water vapor. This overview of dew point is from your About.com Guide to Geography.
An overview of dew point, which represents the temperature at which the air is completely saturated with water vapor. This overview of dew point is from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Aphelion and Perihelion
An overview of the earth's orbit around the sun, including the times when it is closest to the sun and farthest from the sun, known as perihelion and aphelion, respectively.
An overview of the earth's orbit around the sun, including the times when it is closest to the sun and farthest from the sun, known as perihelion and aphelion, respectively.
About Lapse Rate
An overview of the atmospheric phenomenon known as lapse rate. Lapse rate explains the decrease or increase in temperature of a parcel of air that rises or lowers.
An overview of the atmospheric phenomenon known as lapse rate. Lapse rate explains the decrease or increase in temperature of a parcel of air that rises or lowers.
Glaciers
A comprehensive overview of glaciers. Includes the types of glaciers, how glaciers carve the land, and the importance of glaciers. From Colin Stief of Geography at About.com.
A comprehensive overview of glaciers. Includes the types of glaciers, how glaciers carve the land, and the importance of glaciers. From Colin Stief of Geography at About.com.
Floods and Flooding
River and coastal flooding are the most frequently occurring natural disaster and floods are increasing in occurrence more rapidly than any other disaster. This article from Geography at About.com provides an overview of flooding and floods.
River and coastal flooding are the most frequently occurring natural disaster and floods are increasing in occurrence more rapidly than any other disaster. This article from Geography at About.com provides an overview of flooding and floods.
2010 Hurricane Names
A list of the official hurricane names for 2010. The rotating list of names of hurricanes changes each year; this is the 2010 list of hurricane names from your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
A list of the official hurricane names for 2010. The rotating list of names of hurricanes changes each year; this is the 2010 list of hurricane names from your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
Physical Geography Overview
An overview of the subject of physical geography and its various aspects from your About.com Guide to Geography.
An overview of the subject of physical geography and its various aspects from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Top 10 Deadliest World Hurricanes Since 1900
A listing of the deadliest hurricanes in the world since the year 1900, a top ten list of the deadliest world hurricanes and cyclones. From your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
A listing of the deadliest hurricanes in the world since the year 1900, a top ten list of the deadliest world hurricanes and cyclones. From your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
Frequency of Earthquakes
A chart showing the number of earthquakes based on magnitude, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
A chart showing the number of earthquakes based on magnitude, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Layers of the Atmosphere
Learn about the layers of the atmosphere - the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere - from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Learn about the layers of the atmosphere - the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere - from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Atmosphere Composition
A listing of the composition of the atmosphere of the earth, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
A listing of the composition of the atmosphere of the earth, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
The Four Seasons
Lean about the start dates for each of the four seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Find out about the earth-sun interaction on the June Solstice, December Solstice, March Equinox, and September Equinox, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Lean about the start dates for each of the four seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Find out about the earth-sun interaction on the June Solstice, December Solstice, March Equinox, and September Equinox, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Names for Water Bodies
Find out the similarities (and differences) between different types of water bodies, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Find out the similarities (and differences) between different types of water bodies, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Fujita Scale
Ted Fujita developed a scale, called the Fujita Scale, to measure tornado damage that helps us to classify nature's most violent storms. Learn about the scale from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Ted Fujita developed a scale, called the Fujita Scale, to measure tornado damage that helps us to classify nature's most violent storms. Learn about the scale from your About.com Guide to Geography.
The Hydrologic Cycle
A summary of how water gets from ocean to land to river and back again, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
A summary of how water gets from ocean to land to river and back again, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Temperate, Torrid, and Frigid Zones
In one of the first attempts at climate classification, the ancient Greek scholar Aristotle hypothesized that the earth was divided into three types of climatic zones - the temperate, torrid, and frigid zones.
In one of the first attempts at climate classification, the ancient Greek scholar Aristotle hypothesized that the earth was divided into three types of climatic zones - the temperate, torrid, and frigid zones.
Rain Shadow
rain shadow orographic mountains ranges precipitation snow desert dry adiabatic cooling warming heat cold climate sierra rockies nevada california geography
rain shadow orographic mountains ranges precipitation snow desert dry adiabatic cooling warming heat cold climate sierra rockies nevada california geography
Trade Winds
The names for the regions of the earth known as the trade winds, horse latitudes, and the doldrums all hark back to the age of sailing. Learn about these regions from your About.com Guide to Geography.
The names for the regions of the earth known as the trade winds, horse latitudes, and the doldrums all hark back to the age of sailing. Learn about these regions from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Erosion
Learn about water, wind, ice, and waves - the agents of erosion that wear away at the surface of the earth, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Learn about water, wind, ice, and waves - the agents of erosion that wear away at the surface of the earth, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is the world's second driest region (icy Antarctica is first). Although the Tropic of Capricorn passes through the region, the Atacama lies in the rain shadow of Chile's Coast Range, which squeezes out the moisture from the atmosphere.
The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is the world's second driest region (icy Antarctica is first). Although the Tropic of Capricorn passes through the region, the Atacama lies in the rain shadow of Chile's Coast Range, which squeezes out the moisture from the atmosphere.
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere
Learn about the four spheres of the earth - the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
Learn about the four spheres of the earth - the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
Avalanches
Learn about the deadly hazards of the mountains, avalanches.
Learn about the deadly hazards of the mountains, avalanches.
California Earthquake
This page provides clear direction for locating information about California earthquakes that have just occurred or past historical California earthquakes.
This page provides clear direction for locating information about California earthquakes that have just occurred or past historical California earthquakes.
Coldest Capital Cities
Find out which capital city is the coldest in the world and which make the top of the list of the cold capitals of the earth.
Find out which capital city is the coldest in the world and which make the top of the list of the cold capitals of the earth.
December Solstice (Summer in the Southern Hemishpere)
An overview of the December solstice.
An overview of the December solstice.
Deserts
Learn about the deserts of the world and other arid lands, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Learn about the deserts of the world and other arid lands, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Erosion
Discover the four key agents of erosion and their erosive powers.
Discover the four key agents of erosion and their erosive powers.
Glacier Deposition and Moraines
The rock and soil picked up and transported by glaciers creates new landscapes as it is eventually deposited by melting and retreating glaciers. Learn about deposition and moraines of glaciers.
The rock and soil picked up and transported by glaciers creates new landscapes as it is eventually deposited by melting and retreating glaciers. Learn about deposition and moraines of glaciers.
Hurricane Names
A list of the official hurricane names.
A list of the official hurricane names.
Hurricane
An overview of the terrible storms known as hurricanes. Find out how they are born and die.
An overview of the terrible storms known as hurricanes. Find out how they are born and die.
Intertidal Zone
Discover the fascinating intertidal zone, where land, ocean, and air meet.
Discover the fascinating intertidal zone, where land, ocean, and air meet.
Intertropical Convergence Zone - ITCZ
Discover the fascinating Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ, a zone of trade wind convergence and excessive precipitation.
Discover the fascinating Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ, a zone of trade wind convergence and excessive precipitation.
June Solstice (Summer in the Northern Hemisphere)
An overview of the June solstice and what it means to our planet and the seasons.
An overview of the June solstice and what it means to our planet and the seasons.
Karst and Sinkholes
Dangerous sinkholes and beautiful caverns are two results of landscapes known as karst topography. Learn about these features from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Dangerous sinkholes and beautiful caverns are two results of landscapes known as karst topography. Learn about these features from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Koppen Climate Classification Map
An overview of the Koppen system of climate classification, including maps of the the classifications.
An overview of the Koppen system of climate classification, including maps of the the classifications.
Magnetic Reversal
Discover all about the magnetic reversal of the earth's poles throughout the planet's history. The poles have reversed 170 times in the past 100 million years. Find out when it will happen next!
Discover all about the magnetic reversal of the earth's poles throughout the planet's history. The poles have reversed 170 times in the past 100 million years. Find out when it will happen next!
Mars Geography
In the tradition of ancient geography, this feature describes a far-away and unfamiliar place, the planet Mars.
In the tradition of ancient geography, this feature describes a far-away and unfamiliar place, the planet Mars.
Modified Mercalli Scale
The 12-step scale used to measure the felt and observed intensity of earthquakes.
The 12-step scale used to measure the felt and observed intensity of earthquakes.
Monsoon
Learn all about the monsoon rains and weather of the Indian subcontinent and Southern Asia.
Learn all about the monsoon rains and weather of the Indian subcontinent and Southern Asia.
Names for Water Bodies
Find out the difference between a bay, a gulf, and an inlet or a stream, a creek, and a brook.
Find out the difference between a bay, a gulf, and an inlet or a stream, a creek, and a brook.
Orographic Lifting, Precipitation, and Rain Shadows
Learn how mountains squeeze the moisture from the air, causing rainfall.
Learn how mountains squeeze the moisture from the air, causing rainfall.
Oxbow Lakes
Discover the fascinating truth behind oxbow lakes, billabongs, and bayous.
Discover the fascinating truth behind oxbow lakes, billabongs, and bayous.
Precipitation
Average annual precipitation is a vital piece of climatic data - one that is recorded through a variety of methods. Precipitation (which is most commonly rainfall but also includes snow, hail, sleet, and other forms of water falling to the ground) is measured in units over a given time period.
Average annual precipitation is a vital piece of climatic data - one that is recorded through a variety of methods. Precipitation (which is most commonly rainfall but also includes snow, hail, sleet, and other forms of water falling to the ground) is measured in units over a given time period.
Prepare for Tsunami
Learn how to prepare yourself and your family for a tsunami.
Learn how to prepare yourself and your family for a tsunami.
Preparing for Floods
Floods are the most common natural disaster. Learn more about floods, the definition of a 100-year-flood, and how to prepare.
Floods are the most common natural disaster. Learn more about floods, the definition of a 100-year-flood, and how to prepare.
Retired Hurricane Names
A list of hurricane names that have been retired.
A list of hurricane names that have been retired.
Ring of Fire
Find out more about the arc of volcanoes which circles the Pacific Ocean.
Find out more about the arc of volcanoes which circles the Pacific Ocean.
Rivers
Rivers provide us with food, energy, recreation, transportation routes, and of course water for irrigation and for drinking. Learn all about rivers from the About.com Guide to Geography.
Rivers provide us with food, energy, recreation, transportation routes, and of course water for irrigation and for drinking. Learn all about rivers from the About.com Guide to Geography.
Soil Size Classification
From clay to gravel, each soil partical fits into its own category.
From clay to gravel, each soil partical fits into its own category.
Soil
An overview of the soil of the lithosphere, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
An overview of the soil of the lithosphere, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Summer Solstice
June 21 is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the beginning of summer for the earth north of the equator.
June 21 is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the beginning of summer for the earth north of the equator.
Sunrise, Sunset - The Longest Day
The summer solstice is the longest day of daylight in the year but it's not the day of the earliest sunrise or sunset - learn more about this intriguing occurence.
The summer solstice is the longest day of daylight in the year but it's not the day of the earliest sunrise or sunset - learn more about this intriguing occurence.
Temperate, Torrid, and Frigid Zones
Learn about Aristotle's rudimentary climate classification into three different zones of temperate, torrid, and frigid zones.
Learn about Aristotle's rudimentary climate classification into three different zones of temperate, torrid, and frigid zones.
Terminator Line
Learn about the terminator line on the earth that separates light from darkness.
Learn about the terminator line on the earth that separates light from darkness.
The Equator, Hemispheres, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn
The facts about the key lines of latitude that relate to the position of the sun and the angle of the earth.
The facts about the key lines of latitude that relate to the position of the sun and the angle of the earth.
The Fujita Scale for Tornadoes
Ted Fujita developed a scale to measure tornado damage that helps us to classify nature's most violent storms.
Ted Fujita developed a scale to measure tornado damage that helps us to classify nature's most violent storms.
The Hydrologic Cycle
The sun makes the water go around - from the ocean to the air to the land.
The sun makes the water go around - from the ocean to the air to the land.
The Physical Environment
This online physical geography textbook is an amazing resource. Its images and graphics really help to provide detailed information about the basics of physical geography.
This online physical geography textbook is an amazing resource. Its images and graphics really help to provide detailed information about the basics of physical geography.
The Rock Cycle
Discover how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are created and how they can be recycled as part of the rock cycle of the earth's crust.
Discover how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are created and how they can be recycled as part of the rock cycle of the earth's crust.
Tides of the Earth's Oceans
An overview of the effects of lunar and solar gravity upon the earth's oceans and even its crust.
An overview of the effects of lunar and solar gravity upon the earth's oceans and even its crust.
Tornado
Everything you ever wanted to know about tornadoes and tornado alley. Tornadoes are the most destructive of any local atmospheric phenomena.
Everything you ever wanted to know about tornadoes and tornado alley. Tornadoes are the most destructive of any local atmospheric phenomena.
Trade Winds, Horse Latitudes, and the Doldrums
The names for the regions of the earth known as the trade winds, horse latitudes, and the doldrums all hark back to the age of sailing.
The names for the regions of the earth known as the trade winds, horse latitudes, and the doldrums all hark back to the age of sailing.
Uniformitarianism
James Hutton, known as the father of geology, suggested that the earth was much older and that processes occurring in the present were the same processes that had operated in the past, and would be the processes that operate in the future. This concept became known as uniformitarianism and can be summarized by the phrase 'the present is the key to the past.'
James Hutton, known as the father of geology, suggested that the earth was much older and that processes occurring in the present were the same processes that had operated in the past, and would be the processes that operate in the future. This concept became known as uniformitarianism and can be summarized by the phrase 'the present is the key to the past.'
Urban Heat Islands
Cities are much warmer than their surrounding countryside due to the phenomena known as Urban Heat Islands. Discover how to combat the heat of the city.
Cities are much warmer than their surrounding countryside due to the phenomena known as Urban Heat Islands. Discover how to combat the heat of the city.