Introducing Physical Geography, 5th Edition

658 Pages·2010·161.43 MB·English

by  Alan H. Strahler

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Fifth Edition
Introducing
Physical
Geography
Alan Strahler
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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VP & Publisher Jay O’ Callaghan
Executive Editor Ryan Flahive
Assistant Editor Veronica Armour
Editorial Assistant Meredith Leo
Marketing Manager Margaret Barrett
Marketing Assistant Susan Matulewicz
Production Manager Dorothy Sinclair
Senior Production Editor Sandra Dumas
Senior Illustration Editor Sandra Rigby
Art Director Jeofrey Vita
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Media Editor Bridget O’Lavin
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Senior Photo Editor Jennifer MacMillan
Interior Design/Cover Design Laura Ierardi
Production Management Services Ingrao Associates
Cover Photo Yann Arthus-Bertand/Altitude
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ISBN 13 978-0470-13486-3
ISBN 13 978-0470-41811-6
Printed in the United States of America.
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Preface
The Fifth Edition of Introducing Physical Geography pres- from his book, Earth from Above (Abrahms, 1999, 2002).
ents a new look and style for students and instructors. These photos, taken from light aircraft at low altitudes,
Our new edition features: introduce students to the beauty and diversity of the
Earth’s varied landscapes. Accompanying each photo is
■ A shorter book focusing more directly on the most a short narrative that relates the photo to the content of
important concepts. the chapter. To continue to stimulate student interest,
■ A new writing style with more direct wording and each chapter now starts with a brief learning preview
simpler sentences. that asks a series of questions that will be answered in
■ A continuing emphasis on visual learning, with the chapter.
improved graphics and photos. In response to a number of requests from instructors,
■ A revised art program, with graphics restyled and we have reemphasized the importance of geographers’
many redrawn for improved comprehension. tools by placing introductions to cartography, remote
■ Enhanced connections between physical geogra- sensing, geographic information systems, global posi-
phy and global change. tioning systems, and global visualization tools in the
■ Significant content revisions in many areas. introductory chapter. By laying these tools out early, we
can easily refer to their use throughout the text.
The New Text
Visual Learning
Introducing Physical Geography 5/e is briefer than its
predecessor. By refocusing on the most important con- The Fifth Edition continues and expands our emphasis
cepts and ideas within each of the subfields of physical on visual learning through diagrams and photos. We have
geography, we have significantly shortened the written increased the number of multipart art pieces that include
text. Although we have reduced some detail, we have both photos and diagrams. By combining graphics and
enhanced the overall flow from topic to topic while still photos, we can develop and illustrate facts and concepts
providing the basic support that instructors need in cov- synergistically. In many cases, we have also added text
ering the full breadth of our discipline. explanations with callout lines to particular parts of the
We have also reduced the length of the text by merg- photos or graphics. This technique not only makes the
ing four chapters into two. Chapter 11 now includes graphics clearer, it also helps shorten the main text.
both Earth materials and plate tectonics, and Chapter The art program includes many new additions,
12 now expands volcanic and tectonic landform to including both photos and graphics from the National
include work structures. To maintain the direct flow of Geographic Image Collection. We are very proud and
ideas, we have also reduced boxed features to a single pleased to offer the superior quality of these visual ele-
type—Focus on Remote Sensing—instead placing essential ments in our new edition. We have also adopted the
content appropriately within the chapter narrative. Winkel Tripel Projection, used in the National Geo-
We have also achieved conciseness by adopting a graphic Atlas, for our larger global maps. The Winkel
new and more direct writing style that is less formal and Tripel displays the globe in a more natural way, without
more inviting. By shortening sentences and paragraphs, the interruptions of the Goode projection.
we have improved the pace and clarified the content.
I am pleased to note that this new style was developed
with Dr. Zeeya Merali, my collaborator in the first edi- Geography and Global Change
tion of Visualizing Physical Geography.
To help draw students into our content, we open Physical geography is very relevant to today’s concerns
each chapter with a striking photo from Yann Arthus- about changing global climate and global environ-
Bertrand, the renowned French photographer, taken ments. To help students understand this connection,
v
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vi
Preface
most chapters begin with a brief section about a global caption, helps students learn how to view the land-
change topic relevant to the chapter. This approach scape in an informed manner. The chapter-closing In
puts the global change material up front, serving as a Review section reads like an abstract, encapsulating the
motivator for the new knowledge to come in the remain- key concepts and terms in short bullets. The review
der of the chapter. In preparing these sections, we have questions, visualizing exercises, and essay questions
been especially careful to include the most recent infor- all provide opportunities for students to reinforce and
mation, drawing on the latest reports of the Intergov- demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired.
ernmental Panel on Climate Change and current issues
of Nature and Science, as well as the mainstream scientific
literature.
GeoDiscoveries Media Library
This easy-to-use website helps reinforce and illustrate
Content Revision key concepts from the text through the use of anima-
tions, videos, and interactive exercises. Students can use
The Fifth Edition also includes some areas of significant the resources for tutorials as well as self-quizzing to com-
content revision. Most important are changes to the plement the textbook and enhance understanding of
weather and climate chapters, which strengthen and geography. Easy integration of this content into course
improve the presentation of concepts of meteorology. management systems and homework assignments gives
Upper-air dynamics, including jet stream disturbances instructors the opportunity to integrate multimedia with
and their role in the genesis of cyclones, are a particu- their syllabi and with more traditional reading and writ-
lar focus. For these changes, I am particularly grateful ing assignments. Resources include:
to Professor Bruce Anderson, first author of our
co-authored work, Visualizing Weather and Climate. ■ Animations
Our new edition also continues to emphasize the ■ Videos
use of remote sensing in physical geography through ■ Simulations
the use of Focus on Remote Sensing boxes. These ■ Interactive exercises
popular features show how geographers study physi-
cal processes and map landscapes using airborne and For Students:
spaceborne imaging instruments and technologies. Animations: Key diagrams and drawings from our rich
As always, we have updated our examples of natural signature art program have been animated to provide
phenomena by reference to recent hurricanes, tor- a virtual experience of difficult concepts. These anima-
nados, volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes, tions have proven crucial to the understanding of this
floods, and wildfires as a way of maintaining student content for visual learners.
interest.
Other changes include improved description of the
Bergeron process; use of millimeters for precipitation
Deposition
in weather and climate chapters; revised global energy Pocket
beach
budget values based on new satellite data; new data
on global temperatures; new treatments of the Pacific Bay
Decadal Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation; ort
p
stepcetcoinfiicc st;r meaotmree snutp eorf coarnct-icnoenntti nheisntto rcyo; lulipsidoantse din h ipstloartey Trans Littor
of the Aral Sea; and revised treatment of the erosion of al d
glacial valleys. EErroossiioonn rift
Cliff
Platform
The Learning Environment Wave crests
The new Fifth Edition also retains our most popular
pedagogical features. Key ideas are highlighted in
“windows”—text boxes within the type column that
add visual interest and reinforce the importance of Videos: Brief video clips provide real-world examples
key concepts. The Eye on the Landscape feature, which of geographic features, and put these examples into
points out features in images beyond those of the main context with the concepts covered in the text.
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Preface
Book Companion Site –
www.wiley.com/college/
strahler
In addition to our GeoDiscoveries multimedia content,
our book companion site offers a wealth of study and
practice materials, including:
Student On-line Resources:
■ Self-quizzes—chapter-based multiple choice and
fill-in-the-blank questions.
■ Annotated Weblinks—useful weblinks selected to
enhance chapter topics and content.
■ Virtual Field Trips—web sites devoted to the explo-
ration and virtual experience of landscapes and
environments around the world.
■ Web Activities—web-based modules of a series of
Simulations: Computer-based models of geographic
exercises to introduce topics, and reveal processes
processes allow students to manipulate data and vari-
and characteristics.
ables to explore and interact with virtual environments.
■ Lecture Note Handouts—key images and slides from
the instructor PPTs are made available so that
when in class students can focus on the lecture,
annotate figures, and add their own notes.
■ GeoDiscoveries Media Library—link to the media
library for students to explore key concepts in
greater depth using videos, animations, and inter-
active exercises.
Instructor Resources include all student resources, plus
the following:
■ PowerPoint Lecture Slides—chapter-oriented slides
including lecture notes and text art.
■ Computerized Test Bank—including multiple-choice,
fill-in, and essay questions.
■ Instructor’s Manual—including lecture notes, learn-
Interactive Exercises: Learning activities and games ing objectives, guides to additional resources,
build off our presentation material. They give students and teaching tips for enhancing the classroom
an opportunity to test their understanding of key con- experience.
cepts and explore additional visual resources. ■ Clicker Questions—a set of questions for each
chapter that can be used during lecture to check
understanding using PRS, HITT, or CPS clicker
systems.
■ Concept Caching—an online database of photographs
that explores what a physical feature looks like.
Photographs and GPS coordinates are “cached”
and categorized along core concepts of geography.
Professors can access the images or submit their
own by visiting www.ConceptCaching.com.
■ Image Gallery—containing both line art and photos
from the text.
■ On-line Essay and In-class Activities—Materials for
in-class projects, with corresponding essay-based
homework assignments.
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viii
Preface
WileyPLUS Acknowledgments
WileyPLUS is a course management and educational The preparation of Introducing Physical Geography, Fifth
learning package from John Wiley & Sons. The Introduc- Edition, was greatly aided by the following reviewers who
ing Physical Geography WileyPLUS interface seamlessly read and evaluated the various parts of the manuscript:
integrates an online version of the textbook with the
Geodiscoveries Media Library and book companion William M. Buhay, University of Winnipeg
site, plus automated grading of questions, and grades Christopher Justice, University of Maryland, College
that flow automatically into the grade book. It is ideal Park
for both small and large classes and is particularly well Robert M. Hordon, Rutgers University
suited as a stand-alone platform for online classes. Fea- Francis A. Galgano, United States Military Academy,
tures include: West Point
Jeffrey P. Schaffer
1. Map testing: develop students’ spatial knowledge with Thomas A. Terich, Western Washington University
interactive map tests of physical features.
2. Ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask by We would also like to thank the reviewers who read
creating questions to add to any assignment. For and commented on prior editions:
instance, you could create your own series of ques-
tions about the adiabatic process or remote sensing Tanya Allison, Montgomery College
of volcanoes. Joseph M. Ashley, Montana State University
3. Set your own policies: give students from one to five Roger Balm, Rutgers State University
(or even unlimited) attempts at each questions, give David Bixler, Chaffey College
hints after a missed attempt, set due dates, assign Peter Blanken, University of Colorado, Boulder
point values, and give individual students extensions. Kenneth L. Bowden, Northern Illinois University
You can set up the assignments so that students lose David Butler, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
some percentage of the possible points if they don’t Les Dean, Riverside College
give the correct answer by the nth attempt. Christopher H. Exline, University of Nevada
4. Make announcements or post files for the class. Jerry Green, Miami University
5. Draw from the instructor resources for in-class Clarence Head, University of Central Florida
Personal Response System/clicker questions or Peter W. Knightes, Central Texas College
PowerPoint files of graphics. Christopher S. Larsen, State University of New York,
6. Organize and manage class rosters and grades. You Buffalo
can create rosters or allow students to pay and self- Robert E. Lee, Seattle Central Community College
enroll online. Denyse Lemaire, Rowen University
7. The test banks are included among the instructor Eugene J. Palka, U.S. Military Academy, West Point
resources for each chapter, and you can use these James F. Petersen, Southwest Texas State University
to create quizzes and tests for your students to take Clinton Rowe, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
online. These are automatically graded and will flow Carol Shears, Ball State University
into the grade book. Carol I. Zinser, State University of New York,
Plattsburgh
Your investment of time to develop a good course
using WileyPLUS can be carried over to subsequent It is with particular pleasure that I thank the staff
semesters. at Wiley for their long hours of careful work in the
For the student, WileyPLUS offers a number of preparation and production of our Fifth Edition. They
enhanced features—including an affordable price. include our editor Ryan Flahive, editorial assistant
There are a number of bonus features like map testing, Meredith Leo, senior photo editor Jennifer MacMillan,
links to related web pages are live and instantaneous. designer Laura Ierardi, illustration editor Sandra Rigby,
Students can answer questions online and submit elec- marketing manager J effrey Rucker, new media product
tronically to receive immediate feedback. When answer- manager Tom Kulesa, production coordinator Suzanne
ing questions, students can click on links to refer to the Ingrao of Ingrao Associates, and our production editor
text or media resources. Sandra Dumas, who made it all come together. Particular
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