Key Concepts in Geography and Climatology
Key Geographical and Climatological Terms
Climate and Weather
Rainfall Regime: Change in rainfall characteristics in terms of frequency, duration, and dominant eras. These define a climate or region.
Isohyets: Lines on weather maps connecting points on the Earth’s surface that have the same level of rainfall in a unit of time.
Isotherms: Curved lines on a weather map linking areas with the same temperature.
Anticyclone: A high-pressure area surrounded by lower pressure; winds circulate clockwise.
Aridity:
Read MoreUnderstanding Weathering, Erosion, and Sedimentary Rock Formation
Weathering, Erosion, and Sedimentary Rock Formation
Weathering is the process by which the Earth’s surface rocks are altered and fragmented by the action of water, air, and living things. There are two main types of weathering: physical and chemical.
Physical Weathering
Physical weathering is the fragmentation or disintegration of rocks by physical processes without changing their chemical composition.
Chemical Weathering
Chemical weathering involves the alteration of the minerals within rocks due to
Read MoreClimate and Relief of Spain: Analysis
Climate Factors in Spain
Rainfall
Total Precipitation:
- Very abundant: More than 1000mm (Climatic mountain).
- Abundant: Exceeds 800mm (Oceanic climate).
- Low: 300-800mm (Coastal/continentalized Mediterranean climate).
- Very little: Less than 300mm (Sub-desert/steppe).
- Desert: Less than 150mm.
Distribution of Precipitation:
- Regular: No dry months (less than 2 months > 30mm) (Oceanic climate).
- Fairly regular: Maximum of 2 dry months (Oceanic transition to continentalized Mediterranean).
- Irregular: More than 2
Vector Subspaces, Linear Applications, and Quadratic Forms
A.1.7. Vector Subspace
Let S be a subset of a vector space E. S is a vector subspace if and only if:
- It contains the zero vector (0).
- It simultaneously meets these conditions:
- For any two vectors v1 and v2 belonging to S, v1 + v2 also belongs to S.
- For any vector v1 and any real number k, kv1 belongs to S.
The following are not vector subspaces:
- Numbers with exponents.
- Vectors defined by u = (x, y) where xy + x = 0 (product of two coordinates).
- Logarithms, etc. (certain mathematical constructs).
The following
Read MoreUnderstanding Megalithic Constructions: Menhirs and Dolmens
Megalithic Construction Types
1. Menhirs
The menhir is the simplest type of megalithic monument. It consists of a stone, of variable shape and height (1 to 6 m), fixed on the ground. Some menhirs stand isolated. The most significant example is in Locmariaquer (in Morbihan, France), which was a 23 m tall simple Menhir.
Menhirs may also appear clustered, distributed in rows, forming alignments, characteristic of Brittany. The best-known alignment is at Carnac, where thousands of standing stones are arranged
Read MoreLandform Evolution: Mountain Ranges, Erosion, and Coastal Features
R. jurásico
This landform can form in young mountain ranges. It consists of folds alternating between anticlines and synclines. Anticlines in the water create erosion valleys perpendicular to the summit (cluses) and parallel valleys (combos). Once erosion occurs, it empties fast, and former synclinal valleys are lifted (syncline hook). The erosion of the anticline valley exposes the anticline, and the cycle begins again.
R. apalachense
This landform forms covering a mountainous area that has been
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