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.

Map showing the NDVI anomaly in 2024 compared to average levels from 1991 to 2020). After a couple of years of above average precipitation in Southern California, vegetations levels in the summer of 2024 were 30% greener than average. Map: NASA, public domain.

Hydroclimate Whiplash: the Impact on California Wildfires

Caitlin Dempsey

Hydroclimate whiplash - the rapid swing between drought and heavy precipitation - plays a role in the increasing intensity of California wildfires.

Visualization by NASA showing the retreat of the Smith Glacier grounding line between 1996 and 2011.

Understanding Glacier Grounding Lines

Caitlin Dempsey

Grounding lines are the boundaries where glaciers and ice sheets transition from resting on solid ground to floating on seawater.

Map showing areas of increased artificial lighting in the Arctic, with increases in yellow, decreases in purple, and no change in green, using data from the U.S. DMSP satellites. Map: NASA, public domain.

Increased Light Pollution in the Arctic

Caitlin Dempsey

Satellite data shows rising Arctic nighttime lights, driven by growing industrial activity in oil, gas, and infrastructure.

This 2024 Landsat 8 image shows Yakutat, Alsek, and Grand Plateau Glaciers have retreated up to 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles), with lakes filling the void. Over 40 years, the lakes more than doubled in size to 240 square kilometers—larger than New York’s Seneca Lake.

The Rise of Proglacial Lakes

Caitlin Dempsey

Glacial retreat in Alaska's Yakutat Foreland has fueled rapid growth of proglacial lakes, doubling their size in 40 years as seen in Landsat imagery.

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.

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