Physical Geography

Physical geography focuses on geography as an Earth science (and is sometimes called Earth System Science).

Physical geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of the natural features and processes of the Earth’s surface. It includes the examination of landforms, climate, vegetation, soils, and water resources. Physical geographers use a range of scientific methods and tools to analyze and understand the complex interactions between the Earth’s physical systems.

Learn about the different branches of geography that fall under the physical geography category: climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, and more.

Satellite image of a piedmont glacier in Alaska with the different lobes labeled.

Largest Piedmont Glacier in North America

Caitlin Dempsey

The largest piedmont glacier in North America is found in southeastern Alaska and is known as the Malaspina Glacier.

Lenticular clouds over a mountain range.

Lenticular Clouds

Caitlin Dempsey

Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped formations that form over mountains when moist air cools and condenses, creating smooth, often UFO-like cloud patterns.

Taken at about 30,000 feet (9 kilometers) over eastern Washington, the smoke plume (gray) feeds the pyrocumulonimbus cloud (white). Photo: David Peterson (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory), public domain, August 8, 2019.

Understanding the Increase in PyroCbs: Wildfire Thunderstorms

Caitlin Dempsey

The phenomenon of fire-triggered thunderstorms is called pyroCbs, which is short for pyrocumulonimbus clouds.

Fire Islands is an Atlantic Ocean barrier island off the southern shore of Long Island, New York. Photo: Jennifer Miselis, USGS. Public domain.

Barrier Islands in the United States

Caitlin Dempsey

Barrier islands are narrow landforms running parallel to coastlines, protecting shores from storms and erosion while supporting unique ecosystems.

Side by side photos of a great egret (left) and American white pelican (right).

Birds in Flight: Great Egret Versus American White Pelican

Caitlin Dempsey

Learn how to tell the difference between a great egret and an American white pelican in flight by examining their size, beaks, wings, and flight patterns.

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