FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

1 BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Page 1 of Page 336 BA/BSCGE-101 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / B. Sc. I YEAR DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL OF SCIENCES UTTARAKHAND OPEN UNIVERSITY, HALDWANI (Teen Pani Bypass, Behind Transport Nagar, Haldwani (Nainital), 263139) Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 Page 2 of Page 336 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY BA/BSCGE-101 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL OF SCIENCES UTTARAKHAND OPEN UNIVERSITY Phone No. 05946-261122, 261123 Toll free No. 18001804025 Fax No. 05946-264232, E. mail BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Page 3 of Page 336 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 Page 4 of Page 336 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Board of Studies Prof.

2 Pandey Dr. Head, Department of GEOGRAPHY Head, Department of GEOGRAPHY DSB Campus, Nainital MBPG College, Haldwani Dr. Rawat Prof. Anita Pande Senior Scientist, GB Pant Institute of Department of GEOGRAPHY Himalayan Environment and Development DSB Campus, Nainital Kosi-Katarmal,Almora Dr. Joshi Dr. Ranju J. Pandey Department of Environmental Science Department of GEOGRAPHY School of Sciences School of Sciences Uttarakhand Open University,Haldwani Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani Programme Coordinators Dr. Department of GEOGRAPHY Assistant Professor School of Sciences Department of GEOGRAPHY Uttarakhand Open University School of Sciences Haldwani, Nainital Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital Units Written By: Unit No.

3 1. Dr. Amrita Bajaj 1 Assistant Professor Department of GEOGRAPHY ShaheedBhagat Singh (Eve.) College University of Delhi Sheik sarai phase II, New Delhi-110017 2. Dr. 2& 3 Department of GEOGRAPHY School of Sciences Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital SnehGangwar 4, 15 Assistant Professor Department of GEOGRAPHY AditiMahavidyalay College University of Delhi BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Page 5 of Page 336 Delhi Auchandi Road, Bawana, Delhi-110039 5, 6.

4 9&10 Assistant Professor Department Of GEOGRAPHY PDB Gov. Degree College,Kotdwar Geeta Rawat 7&8 Assistant Professor SGRRPG College Dehradun 6. Dr. Anil Pal 11, 12, 13& 14 AssociateProfessor Deptt. of GEOGRAPHY ( ) College Dehradun 7. Dr. Krishna Kumar 16 Assistant Professor Department of GEOGRAPHY Shaheed Bhagat Singh (Eve.) College University of Delhi New Delhi-110017 Course Editors: Dr.

5 Ranju Mr. Department of GEOGRAPHY Assistant Professor School of Sciences Department of GEOGRAPHY Uttarakhand Open University Uttarakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital Haldwani, Nainital Title : FUNDAMENTALS of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY ISBN No. : 978-93-857-40-61-9 Copyright : Uttarakhand Open University Edition : First (2017) Published By: Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, Nainital-263139 Printed By: UttarayanPrakashan, Haldwani CONTENTS Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 Page 6 of Page 336 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY BLOCK-1 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF LITHOSPHERE UNIT: 1 Nature & Scope of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY .

6 UNIT: 2 Origin of the Earth, Earth Interior, Isostasy. UNIT: 3 Epirogenetic, Orogenetics, Volcanism, Seismicity. UNIT: 4 Weathering, Erosion, & Associated Landforms. BLOCK-2 ATMOSPHERE UNIT: 5 Compositions and Structure of Atmosphere. UNIT: 6 Insolation & Heat Budget, Vertical & Horizontal Distribution of Temperature. UNIT: 7 Atmospheric Pressure, Winds, Humidity & Rainfall. UNIT: 8 Climate& Its Classification- Koppen &Thornthweit. BLOCK-3 HYDROSPHERE UNIT: 9 Surface Configuration of Ocean Bottoms. UNIT:10 Oceanic-Temperature & Salinity. UNIT:11 Circulation of Ocean Water, Currents & Tides. UNIT:12 Ocean Deposits & Corals Reefs. BLOCK-4 BIOSPHERE UNIT:13 Elements of Biosphere, Habitat & Plant- Animal Association.

7 UNIT:14 Ecology & Ecosystem. UNIT:15 Bio-Diversity & Its Depletion. UNIT:16 Conservation of Biotic Resources. BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Page 7 of Page 336 UNIT I: NATURE & SCOPE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION MEANING AND DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY NATURE AND SCOPE OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY RECENT TRENDS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY CONCLUSION SUMMARY GLOSSARY ANSWER TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS REFERENCES SUGGESTED READINGS TERMINAL QUESTIONS OBJECTIVES Uttarakhand Open University BA/BSC GE-101 Page 8 of Page 336 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY After reading this unit, will help the students in clearing their concepts as regards the following: Understanding the definition of GEOGRAPHY .

8 Comprehending the development and growth of the subject. Learning the scope of GEOGRAPHY as a scientific discipline. Gaining knowledge of recent trends in PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . Discussing the relevance of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . INTRODUCTION: The major aim of this chapter is to introduce the students to a new perspective of the world of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . GEOGRAPHY is amongst the oldest earth science and much of the geographical work is actually the contribution made by different Greek scholars. The word GEOGRAPHY was coined by Eratosthenes, a famous Greek scholar in third century GEOGRAPHY is actually a combination of two words Geo means earth and Graphy means to describe, hence if we look at the literal meaning of term GEOGRAPHY then it stands for description of the earth surface.

9 GEOGRAPHY as a discipline concentrates largely on interaction of all human and PHYSICAL phenomena and the resultant features. GEOGRAPHY is mainly divided into two major branches, PHYSICAL and Human GEOGRAPHY (Figure1). Figure 1: Branches of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . Out of the two major branches of GEOGRAPHY , PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY is the most important branch of GEOGRAPHY as it forms the basis of all geographical studies. INTEXT QUESTION PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY GEOMORPHOLOGY CLIMATOLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY BIOGEOGRAPHY What have you learnt? GEOGRAPHY means the description of the earth surface. It is mainly divided into two branches. BA/BSC GE-101 Uttarakhand Open University PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Page 9 of Page 336 1.

10 What is GEOGRAPHY ? 2. Which are the two major Branches of GEOGRAPHY ? DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Every person on this earth always wonders that, there are areas on this earth which are extremely dry and on the other hand, there are areas which face heavy rain throughout the year. Then, there are areas which are completely plain and on the other hand there are areas dominated by mountains and plateaus. The answers to all these questions lie in PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . Thus, a lot of explorers, tourists show a keen interest in the PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY . There are many people who have a great interest in the PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY studies but, unfortunately have not got the opportunity in realization of their goals.