Geography Final Project

Running Head: Geography Final Project
Name: Omar Aljabr
Course
University
Lecturer: Professor Jodi Titus
Date


Analysis:
The lithosphere is made up of different types of rock. They are classified depending on mode of formation as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
The igneous rocks are the oldest types of rocks. Igneous is a Greek word meaning fire. These rocks are formed as a result of heating up of the earths crust to form magma. When magma cools slowly beneath the earths surface it forms coarse grained intrusive igneous rocks. When the magma due to earthquakes or volcanic eruption is extruded into the surface of the earth it is called lava. The fast cooling of the lava on the earth surface leads to formation of fine grained extrusive igneous rocks. The lava may be extruded into the air or in the ocean. Basalt is the igneous rock that results when these eruptions occurs in the ocean and forms most of the earth crust in the oceans. Other examples of igneous rocks include granite, gabbro, scoria, kimberlite, pumice etc


Analysis:
The three main processes in the sea are erosion, transportation and deposition of materials and debris in the sea.
Wave erosion occurs when waves produced in the sea posses so much energy and erode the rocks at the coastline.
When the waves have low energy, materials from the sea are carried shoreward. Occurrence of wave’s erosion is identified by the visibility of rock debris and other materials deposited offshore. Erosion has caused materials to be deposited almost near the railway line which could even pose danger to the transport system.
Characterized by surfing waves, San Clemente State beach experiences much erosion of its shorelines.


Analysis:
A sedimentary rock is formed by sediment that is consolidated by the combination of pressure and cementation and through a mechanical or a chemical process may cause rocks to disintegrate. The sediments may be transported by water, ice or even gravity and deposited at the ocean floor. As more of the sediments accumulate pressure results to compaction and hence sedimentation into rock
Sedimentary rock often evolve under water surfaces lined in horizontal beds called strata, it is formed when sediments collect in one area and if the particles are large enough forms a sedimentary rock called conglomerate. Other types of sedimentary rocks are derived from organic materials which settle into the sea bed forming rocks such as limestone.
The sedimentary rock is characterized by strata which refer to the horizontal layers of sediments. Though these rocks are formed in a horizontal manner with time they may be subsequently deformed. Continuous addition and weathering of the rock surface makes it of uneven texture.


Analysis:
This type of climate is marks the Transition between warmer tropical climates and colder severe mid latitude climates. It is characterized by great weather variations over short period of time e.g. days or even weeks with alternating incursions of tropical and polar air. The seasonal contrasts are characterized with differences in temperature, long and hot summers as opposed to short and mild winters. The occasional frost experienced does not favor all year growing season. This region also is characterized with precipitation that is highly variable in terms of amount and seasonal distribution.
Orange production requires a relatively high level of humidity and warm temperatures. The modest annual precipitation received during winter greatly favors the production as seen in the above photograph. High production is experienced during the winter.


Analysis:
Soil is the topmost layer of the lithosphere containing mineral matter with considerable amounts of organic material capable of supporting living organisms. Soil formation occurs through a process of weathering whereby physical and chemical disintegration of rock exposed to the atmosphere and to the action of water result to regolith formation; which is a layer of broken and partly decomposed rock particles covering the rock bed, Soil forms the upper part of the regolith.
The alfisols are types of soil order under USDA soil taxonomy. They are usually found in semiarid to humid areas. The subsoil is mainly clay and have high native fertility .They are rich in aluminum and iron and good for crop and fiber production. These soils allow minimal leaching and are more common in glaciated areas


Analysis:
Reflection is the process whereby an object repels waves without altering either the object or the wave. An object that is a good absorber is a poor reflector and vice versa. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves.
The law of reflection states that for specular reflection the angle at which the wave is incident on the surface equals the angle at which it is reflected.
Insolation refers to the amount of heat from the sun that reaches the earth’s surface. It is dependent on such factors as the amount of energy that reaches the earth’s surface; the Sun's elevation in the sky; the amount of solar radiation returned to space at the Earth-atmosphere boundary; and the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the atmosphere.
When light from the sun strikes the land, it is reflected back to their surroundings which in this case are a water body. The water body will in turn reflect the light back to the atmosphere and the result is the picture of the land forming in the water.


Analysis:
The earth is divided into four spheres that are dependent upon one another. They are the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.
The atmosphere refers to the air that surrounding the Earth. It is always in motion and constantly changing, held in its place by the Earth's gravity and is made of moisture found within the gases and solid particles, known as particular matter. It is responsible for the weather
The hydrosphere encompasses all forms of water in the Earth's environment. This includes the oceans; all water found on the Earth's surface such as lakes, rivers, snow and glaciers; water under the Earth's surface; and water vapor found in the atmosphere.
The lithosphere includes various landforms such as mountains and valleys, as well as rocks, minerals and soil. The lithosphere is constantly being shaped by external forces such as sun, wind, ice, water and chemical changes. .
The biosphere contains all living things in the biophysical environment that include all plants and animals. Life exists in the biosphere and cannot survive without elements from the other spheres. Plants and animals need water from the hydrosphere, minerals from the lithosphere and gases from the atmosphere. The air, water, and land provide homes for all the various forms of life.


Analysis:
Atmospheric moisture refers to the water content on the surface of the earth and could be either in solid, liquid or gas form. Moisture in gas state is very important in atmospheric dynamics as water vapor stores energy that keep the atmosphere in action through the hydrological process. The process of condensation of the atmospheric water vapor results to formation of clouds.
Clouds are a collection of water or tiny ice crystals resulting from condensation. They can be classified according to form or altitude. Cirriform clouds are thin wispy clouds formed of ice crystals rather than water droplets while stratiform clouds are grayish sheets that cover most or all of the sky.
Cumuliform clouds on the other hand are massive, rounded clouds with a flat base and limited horizontal extent but often billowing upward to great heights.
Clouds are also classified according to its distance from the sea level. High clouds above 20,000’ appear thin, white and are believed to be composed of ice crystals e.g. cirrus. Middle clouds range from 6,500 – 20,000’ are identified as either stratiform or cumuliform and are said to contain liquid water. Low clouds form at an altitude of below 6,500’
The sky in the photograph displays all the above types of clouds.


Analysis:
The grassland ecosystem is d...