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.

Colorful tropical fish swim underwater around a reef.

Mapping Coral Reef Health with Sound

Mark Altaweel

Scientists used artificial intelligence and passive acoustic monitoring to assess coral reef health by analyzing the sounds of the ocean.

View of the Manu'a Islands with the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega (background), and Ta'u (foreground). Image, NPS, public domain

A Guide to the Geography of U.S. National Parks

Caitlin Dempsey

Find out the answers to geography trivia questions and more in this article about the geography of U.S. National Parks.

A rocky outcrop of a mountain completely surrounded by glaciers.

Nunataks: Glacial Islands

Caitlin Dempsey

Nunataks are isolated mountain peaks visible above ice sheets in polar and high-altitude regions.

In March the ice arch starting to disintegrate. By April, satellite imagery was showing the crumbling of the ice pack behind the ice arch. By May, sea ice was flowing freely through Nares Strait. Images: NASA.

What is an Ice Arch?

Caitlin Dempsey

An ice arch forms when sea ice buckles under pressure, creating a natural arch-shaped structure in polar regions, often blocking the movement of ice.

A polynya that has formed in an embayment where the Venable Ice Shelf meets Farwell Island in Antartica. Photo: John Sonntag/NASA, public domain.

Polynyas: Natural Openings in Polar Ice

Caitlin Dempsey

Explore the geography of polynyas, unique open water areas in polar ice, and learn about their formation, ecological impact, and role in climate dynamics.

A satellite image of a section of Antartica with brown stains of Penguin guano.

Tracking Penguin Colonies Through Their Droppings

Elizabeth Borneman

Researchers are using satellite imagery to map Antarctica’s penguin population by estimating their numbers based on the large guano stains left behind.

When Rivers Become Ice Roads

Caitlin Dempsey

During the cold winter months, parts of Canada's Mackenzie River become a ice road that trucks up to 22,000 pounds can navigate.

A view across forest covered mountains with a band of fog stretching just below the peak of the far mountain.

Will Cool Air Pooling Protect Some Forests from Climate Change?

Caitlin Dempsey

Researchers looked at the link between cool air pooling and cold-adapted forest composition.

A photo looking up towards the sky of conifer trees on a blue sunny day.

Forecasting Phytoclimates 

Mark Altaweel

A study of 135,153 vascular plant species predicts that by 2070, 33-68% of land on Earth will experience significant phytoclimate changes.

Photo taken at an oblique angle from the International Space Station showing Sutter Buttes.

The World’s Smallest Mountain Range

Caitlin Dempsey

Located about 55 miles north of Sacramento in Northern California, this small volcanic formation is known as "the world's smallest mountain range."

A grayscale map of the world with graduated symbols representing in pink observe bird extinctions, blue for fossils records, and orange for undiscovered bird extinctions.

Human-Driven Extinction of Birds

Mark Altaweel

Researchers using models and historical records estimate that up to 11% of all bird species have gone extinct since the Late Pleistocene.

A map showing in orange the range of steller's jay and in blue the range of blue jay over a gray shaded relief map of the United States.

This Bird is Not the Only Crested Jay West of the Rocky Mountains

Caitlin Dempsey

Since the 1960s, blue jays have gradually extended their range past the Rocky Mountains into the western United States and Canada.

A weather model with a yellow to greens color gradient showing wind speed.

Weather Forecasting Using Artificial Intelligence

Mark Altaweel

GraphCast is a Google DeepMind effort that uses deep learning to improve medium-range weather forecasting.

Maps showing age of forest stands (left) and estimate tree canopy heights (right).

Measuring Tree Height With a Two-Satellite Constellation

Caitlin Dempsey

Researchers used synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from colocated satellites to estimate tree canopy height.

Two maps - the top has a deep blue to deep red raster temperature layer for an area in South Africa and the bottom has deep blue to deep red dots to represent individual elephant locations with temperature sensors.

Using Animals to Collect Weather Data

Caitlin Dempsey

Scientists suggest using sensors on wildlife to collect fine-grained weather data about the environments these animals move around in.

A salt marsh pond in Plum Island, MA (on the left), alongside a tidal creek (on the right).

How Sea Level Rise Will Affect Salt Marshes

Mark Altaweel

Researchers have calculated that about 90 percent of salt marshes are under threat from rising sea levels predicted to occur by the year 2100.

A shaded relief map with green overlay showing the historic range of the American Chestnut.

American Chestnut: the Struggle to Save the ‘Redwood of the East’

Katarina Samurović

Scientists and conservationists are working to rescue the American Chestnut from going completely extinct.

A view of a surge flow on a creek with sand dunes and mountains in the background.

Surge Flows: A Rare River Phenomenon

Caitlin Dempsey

Surge flows are a rare phenomenon where shallow waters, sand or sediment, and steep topography combine to create waves in rivers.

Three side-by-side satellite images showing the emergence of an ephemeral lake in Badwater Basin.

North America’s Lowest Point on Land is Currently a Lake

Caitlin Dempsey

Two recent heavy rainfall events have filled Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America on land, up with water.

A dark photo taken at night showing lightning and a purple sky around the lightning.

Geography of Lightning Strikes in the United States

Caitlin Dempsey

Researchers recently mapped out data from the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) between 2017 and 2022 to see where lightning strikes the most across the contiguous United States.

A silhouette of an ibex at sunset with the horns showing.

Why Climate Change is Making Some Animals More Nocturnal

Caitlin Dempsey

Increase daytime heat linked to climate change is driving some wildlife to become more active at night.

A seabird with wings outstretched flying out from the ocean with water splashing around the bird.

Individual Seabird Adaption to Climate Change

Mark Altaweel

Scientists tracked the migratory patterns of 145 seabirds to map how individual shearwaters are adapting to climate change.

Satellite imagery of an atoll.

Geography of Atolls

Caitlin Dempsey

Atolls are ring-shaped coral reefs, islands, or a series of islets that encircle a lagoon either partially or completely.

A view of tall eucalyptus trees in a forest.

The Role of Secondary Forests in Reducing Atmospheric Carbon

Mark Altaweel

Secondary forests play an important role in carbon capture strategies aimed towards reducing atmospheric carbon.

Photo of a mountain lion walking on a rock.

Using GIS to Map an Individual Animal’s Home Range

Caitlin Dempsey

GIS can be used to map the estimated home range based on the collected point locations of individual animals as they move through an environment.

A map showing moisture levels carried by an atmospheric river over the West Coast including California. High moisture levels are a dark blue-green and low moisture levels are brown.

What is the Outlook for California’s Atmospheric Rivers?

Caitlin Dempsey

During the winter months, atmospheric rivers carry enormous amounts of water to the state of California.