Introducing Physical Geography, 3rd Edition

by Alan H. Strahler (Boston Univ.); Arthur Strahler (Columbia Univ.)

• ISBN13: 9780471417415
• ISBN10: 0471417416
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Beautifully written and thoroughly revised by two of the foremost geographers in the field, Introducing Physical Geography, Third Edition , builds upon the decades of success of other Strahler geography texts while incorporating coverage of the new developments in the discipline as well as exciting new multimedia and pedagogy to bring physical geography to a new audience. The Third Edition features two new chapters. A prologue, "Introducing Physical Geography" introduces geography as a discipline and identifies the realm of physical geography within geography as a whole. Chapter 8, "Biogeographic Processes" adds key concepts from historical biogeography as well as additional depth to the texts previous coverage of ecological biogeography. In addition, the Third Edition features enhanced coverage of the technological changes occurring in geography, with increased emphasis on remote sensing and geographic information systems. The text features the GeoDiscoveries CD-ROM, featuring its Present-Interact-Assess framework which enables students to animate and interact with maps, view videos, and test themselves, providing them instant assessment feedback on key concepts. GeoDiscoveries for Introducing Physical Geography features an interactive globe, multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop map exercises, key term matching exercises, flashcards, demonstrations of concepts and geographic techniques, critical thinking exercises, interactive animations, and more. GeoDiscoveries is designed to be used both by students for understanding and assessment of key concepts, as well as by instructors for in-class presentations.

Table of Contents

Introducing Physical Geography.

The Earth as a Rotating Planet.

The Earth's Global Energy Balance.

Air Temperature and Air Temperature Cycles.

Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation.

Winds and Global Circulation.

Weather Systems.

Global Climates.

Biogeography.

Global Ecosystems.

Global Soils.

Earth Materials.

The Lithosphere and Plate Tectonics.

Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms.

Weathering and Mass Wasting.

Fresh Water of the Continents.

Landforms Made by Running Water.

Landforms and Rock Structure.

Landforms Made by Waves and Wind.

Glacial Landforms and the Ice Age.

News from the Future.

Appendix.

Glossary.

Photo Credits.

Index.

Conversion Factors.

Relief Surface of the Earth.

Topographic Map Symbols