BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSCGE-101 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY B.A. / B. Sc. I YEAR DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL OF SCIENCES UTTARAKHAND OPEN UNIVERSITY, HALDWANI (Teen Pani Bypass, Behind Transport Nagar, Haldwani (Nainital), 263139) Physical Geography Page 1 of Page 336 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 BA/BSCGE-101 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL OF SCIENCES UTTARAKHAND OPEN UNIVERSITY Phone No. 05946-261122, 261123 Toll free No. 18001804025 Fax No. 05946-264232, E. mail [email protected] htpp://uou.ac.in Page 2 of Page 336 Physical Geography BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Physical Geography Page 3 of Page 336 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 Board of Studies Prof. R.K. Pandey Dr. B.R.Pant Head, Department of Geography Head, Department of Geography DSB Campus, Nainital MBPG College, Haldwani Dr. D.S. Rawat Prof. Anita Pande Senior Scientist, GB Pant Institute of Department of Geography Himalayan Environment and Development DSB Campus, Nainital Kosi-Katarmal,Almora Dr. H.C. Joshi Dr. Ranju J. Pandey Department of Environmental Science Department of Geography School of Sciences School of Sciences Uttarakhand Open University,Haldwani Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani Programme Coordinators Dr. RanjuJ.Pandey Mohd.Akram Department of Geography Assistant Professor School of Sciences Department of Geography Uttarakhand Open University School of Sciences Haldwani, Nainital Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital Units Written By: Unit No. 1. Dr. Amrita Bajaj 1 Assistant Professor Department of Geography ShaheedBhagat Singh (Eve.) College University of Delhi Sheik sarai phase II, New Delhi-110017 2. Dr. RanjuJ.Pandey 2& 3 Department of Geography School of Sciences Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital 3.Dr. SnehGangwar 4, 15 Assistant Professor Department of Geography AditiMahavidyalay College University of Delhi Page 4 of Page 336 Physical Geography BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University Delhi Auchandi Road, Bawana, Delhi-110039 4.Dr.LataKaira 5, 6, 9&10 Assistant Professor Department Of Geography PDB Gov. Degree College,Kotdwar 5.Dr. Geeta Rawat 7&8 Assistant Professor SGRRPG College Dehradun 6. Dr. Anil Pal 11, 12, 13& 14 AssociateProfessor Deptt. of Geography D.B.S. (P.G.) College Dehradun 7. Dr. Krishna Kumar 16 Assistant Professor Department of Geography Shaheed Bhagat Singh (Eve.) College University of Delhi New Delhi-110017 Course Editors: Dr. Ranju J.Pandey Mr. Mohd.Akram Department of Geography Assistant Professor School of Sciences Department of Geography Uttarakhand Open University Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital Haldwani, Nainital Title : Fundamentals of Physical Geography ISBN No. : 978-93-857-40-61-9 Copyright : Uttarakhand Open University Edition : First (2017) Published By: Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, Nainital-263139 Printed By: UttarayanPrakashan, Haldwani CONTENTS Physical Geography Page 5 of Page 336 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 BLOCK-1 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF LITHOSPHERE UNIT: 1 Nature & Scope of Physical Geography. UNIT: 2 Origin of the Earth, Earth Interior, Isostasy. UNIT: 3 Epirogenetic, Orogenetics, Volcanism, Seismicity. UNIT: 4 Weathering, Erosion, & Associated Landforms. BLOCK-2 ATMOSPHERE UNIT: 5 Compositions and Structure of Atmosphere. UNIT: 6 Insolation & Heat Budget, Vertical & Horizontal Distribution of Temperature. UNIT: 7 Atmospheric Pressure, Winds, Humidity & Rainfall. UNIT: 8 Climate& Its Classification- Koppen &Thornthweit. BLOCK-3 HYDROSPHERE UNIT: 9 Surface Configuration of Ocean Bottoms. UNIT:10 Oceanic-Temperature & Salinity. UNIT:11 Circulation of Ocean Water, Currents & Tides. UNIT:12 Ocean Deposits & Corals Reefs. BLOCK-4 BIOSPHERE UNIT:13 Elements of Biosphere, Habitat & Plant- Animal Association. UNIT:14 Ecology & Ecosystem. UNIT:15 Bio-Diversity & Its Depletion. UNIT:16 Conservation of Biotic Resources. Page 6 of Page 336 Physical Geography BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University UNIT I: NATURE & SCOPE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1.1 OBJECTIVES 1.2 INTRODUCTION 1.3 MEANING AND DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1.4 NATURE AND SCOPE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1.5 RECENT TRENDS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1.6 CONCLUSION 1.7 SUMMARY 1.8 GLOSSARY 1.9 ANSWER TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 1.10 REFERENCES 1.11 SUGGESTED READINGS 1.12 TERMINAL QUESTIONS 1.1 OBJECTIVES Physical Geography Page 7 of Page 336 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 After reading this unit, will help the students in clearing their concepts as regards the following: • Understanding the definition of Geography. • Comprehending the development and growth of the subject. • Learning the scope of Geography as a scientific discipline. • Gaining knowledge of recent trends in physical geography. • Discussing the relevance of physical geography. 1.2 INTRODUCTION: The major aim of this chapter is to introduce the students to a new perspective of the world of physical geography. Geography is amongst the oldest earth science and much of the geographical work is actually the contribution made by different Greek scholars. The word geography was coined by Eratosthenes, a famous Greek scholar in third century B.C. Geography is actually a combination of two words ‘Geo’ means earth and ‘Graphy’ means to describe, hence if we look at the literal meaning of term geography then it stands for description of the earth surface. Geography as a discipline concentrates largely on interaction of all human and physical phenomena and the resultant features. Geography is mainly divided into two major branches, Physical and Human geography (Figure1). PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY GEOMORPHOLOGY CLIMATOLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY BIOGEOGRAPHY Figure 1: Branches of Physical Geography. Out of the two major branches of geography, Physical Geography is the most important branch of geography as it forms the basis of all geographical studies. What have you learnt? • Geography means the description of the earth surface. • It is mainly divided into two branches. INTEXT QUESTION 1.1and 1.2 Page 8 of Page 336 Physical Geography BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University 1. What is Geography? 2. Which are the two major Branches of Geography? 1.3 DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Every person on this earth always wonders that, there are areas on this earth which are extremely dry and on the other hand, there are areas which face heavy rain throughout the year. Then, there are areas which are completely plain and on the other hand there are areas dominated by mountains and plateaus. The answers to all these questions lie in physical geography. Thus, a lot of explorers, tourists show a keen interest in the physical geography. There are many people who have a great interest in the physical geography studies but, unfortunately have not got the opportunity in realization of their goals. Geography has also been defined as “the science of earth as the home of man” by scholars like Kant and Ritter, and has two main branches, physical geography and human geography There are many scholars who have defined physical geography but, all have done it in their own ways: Tarr and Von Engeln “Physical geography may be defined as the study of physical features of the earth and their influence on man.” Arthur Holmes has defined physical geography as “The study of physical environment by itself is Physical Geography, which includes consideration of surface relief of the globe (Geomorphology), of the seas and oceans (Oceanography) and of air (Meteorology and Climatology). According to A.K.Lobeck “The study of physical environment alone constitutes physiography.” A.N.Strahler states that, “Physical geography is simply the study and unification of a number of earth sciences which gives us a general insight into nature of man’s environment. Growth and Development of Physical Geography The history of geography spans across many centuries and over the time the subject has greatly evolved and developed. A deep analysis of its historical evolution gives a clear insight into the character as well as methodologies of the subject. These valuable insights can help us in a more meticulous understanding of Physical geography. It has already been highlighted that, physical geography has undergone many changes with respect to the meaning and definition, subject matter along with various methods and approaches of study. Physical geography has seen its development in the study of Greek scholars and further extended by Roman and Indian scholars. The Greeks followed two kinds of traditions in their work. One was the mathematical tradition in which focus was on location of places on the earth’s surface, and the other tradition was gathering information through fieldworks. Physical Geography Page 9 of Page 336 Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 The Greeks contributed to physical geography through their works on change of climates, winds, rainfall, mountains, delta buildings, earthquake, floods along with their causes, volcanoes and transformation of topographic features. Aristotle discussed phenomena of expansion of land in the shallow seas and the formation of the delta. Herodotus talked about tides in the red sea. The Greeks said that the world can basically be divided into three temperature zones called torrid, temperate and frigid zone. Strabo was the most outstanding out of all Roman scholars and focused on the fact, earth is spherical and divided it into different zones and the circles upon the sphere i.e equator, the zodiac, the tropics and