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.
Williwaw, a Colloquial Word for Katabatic Wind
A williwaw is a windstorm that is created by gravity’s effects on cold air.
Silfra Fissure: The Crack between the North American and Eurasian continents
The Silfra fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continents.
The U.S. Has Doubled the Number of Blizzards in the Last Two Decades
The number of blizzards that occur in the United States has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land masses which is bounded by water on two sides.
A Map of the City in the Sky
Known as a light pillar, a combination of ice crystals and the city lights created a map in the sky with definite boundary lines marking streets, intersections, and minor roads in the municipality.
Animated Map of 118 Birds Species Migrating
Using millions of observations, scientists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have mapped out the migration of 118 bird species in the Western Hemisphere.
Mapping the Impact of California’s Drought on Its Trees
Remote sensing technologies and satellite images were used to map where the California drought is affecting trees the most.
Cartography of an Oregon River
Dan Coe used a geospatial technology called LiDAR to map changes in the flow of the Willamette River in Oregon.
Map of Carbon Dioxide Levels Over a Year
NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 is a major source of information about the life cycle of carbon dioxide on Earth.
The Only Sea in the World Without a Coast
The Sargasso Sea is a "sea within a sea" with no land boundaries.
Map of the Earth’s Antineutrino Glow
A new map of antineutrino emissions has been created by scientists using data collected by detectors in Italy and Japan.
Manicouagan Crater – The Earth’s Largest Impact Crater Visible from Space
This vivid satellite image shows the "Eye of Quebec", Manicouagan Crater, one of the Earth's oldest and the most visible impact craters.
Are Ecosystems That are Rich in Biodiversity More Resilient to Diseases?
An ecosystem that is rich in biodiversity is stronger and more resilient to diseases, a recent series of studies has shown.
California is Sinking Faster than Previously Thought
Researchers are tracking the changes in California’s geography from the effects of drought using a remote sensing system called interferometric synthetic aperture radar, or InSAR.
This Hurricane Formed Farther East Than Any Other Since Satellites Began Tracking Hurricanes
A hurricane, dubbed Hurricane Fred, formed farther east than any other recorded hurricane since satellites began tracking such weather events
How Many Trees are There in the World?
According to the latest research, the total number of trees in the world is 3.041 trillion (that’s 3,041,000,000,000). The revised number is ...
Map of the World Without Humans
In a world without humans, elk and buffalo would roam the Great Plains and elephants might still trumpet across Europe.
Geography of Tree Extremes
Where are the tallest, largest, and oldest trees in the world?
The White Shark Café
The White Shark Café is an area of the Pacific Ocean where great white sharks are fond of swimming.
Desert Carbon Sinks
Research suggest that the world’s deserts may be storing some of the climate-changing carbon dioxide emitted by human activities.
Ice Loss in Antarctica
In the last six years, a 750 kilometer (466 mile) strip of Antarctica has been shedding ice into the ocean at a rate of about 60 cubic km each year according to data collected from Cryosat-2.
Fire Seasons Becoming Longer and More Frequent
Research on fire seasons indicates that around 25% of Earth’s vegetated surfaces now experience a longer fire season.
2,000 Miles of Ocean Seafloor and Coastline Imagery Available from the USGS
The U.S. Geological Survey offers 2,000 miles worth of coastlines and seafloor imagery surrounding the United States to the public to view.
Five Books About the Arctic for Early Readers
Discover the Arctic with these 5 captivating books! Perfect for emerging readers (5-8 yrs) seeking adventure in the frozen wilderness.
Leap Second to be Added June 30, 2015
On Tuesday June 30, 2015, the day will be a second longer than usual. Similar to how February gains an ...