Lecture 05 & 06: Nature of Physical Geography

1. Physical Geography:

The study of Physical Aspects of the earth represents the core of Spatial Science is called
Geography. Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the
human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the
natural environment and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people.
Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they
develop and change over time. There are two Branches of Geography.

a) Physical Geography
b) Human Geography

Physical geography (also known as geosystems or physiography) is one of the two major sub-
fields of geography. In the beginning, Physical geography was defined as the study of only
Physical Environment (namely relief, air and water) of the earth e.g. “the study of the physical
environment by itself is physical geography which includes:

 Geomorphology (consideration of surface relief of the globe)

 Oceanography (Study of the sea and ocean)
 Meteorology and Climatology (Study of the air)

Physical Geography was considered as the agglomeration of different branches of the earth
science or natural science viz. Science of Atmosphere (Meteorology and Climatology), Science
of Seas and Oceans (Oceanography), Science of solid earth (Geology). Science of Soil
(Pedology), science of Plant (Botany) and Science of landforms (Geomorphology). Arthur
Holmes further remarked that, “Physical Geography is simply the study of unification of a
number of earth science which gives us a general insight into the nature of man’s environment.
Not in itself a distinct branch of science physical geography is a body of basic principles of earth
sciences selected with a view to include primarily the environmental influences that vary from
place to place over the earth surface.

So, Physical geography is the branch of natural science which deals with the study of processes
and patterns in the natural environment like the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and
geosphere, as opposed to the cultural or built environment, the domain of human geography.

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2. Scopes of Physical Geography
 The origin, age and structure of the interior of the earth, isostasy and evolution of
continents and ocean basin; (Geomorphology)
 The study of forces or movement of the earth, both endogenic (internal) and exogenic
(external);
 The characteristics, origin and distribution of the constructional reliefs namely mountain,
faults, folds etc.
 The study of the features resulting from the interaction between endogenic and exogenic
forces involves the discussion of mode of denudational processes (Weathering and
Erosion), their mechanism of operation and resultant landforms.
 Reliefs of ocean basins (Oceanography)
 Thermal characteristics of ocean water
 Salinity (composition, source and distribution)
 Ocean deposits
 Ocean tide
 Ocean current
 Distribution and origin of coral reefs and atolls
 Composition and structure of atmosphere (Climatology)
 Elements of weather and climate
 Insolation and heat balance
 Terrestrial radiation balance and anthropogenic factors causing imbalance
 Air temperature, air pressure and winds
 Characteristics and origin of monsoon, humidity and precipitation
 Airmasses, frontogenesis, cyclones and anticyclones, world climate
 Composition of biosphere (Biogeography)
 Soil system
 Ecological production and energy flow
 Circulation of elements in the ecosystem
 Biogeochemical cycles
 Evolution, dispersal and extinction of plants and animals
 Biomes and man

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  Ecosystem stability and man
 Man, and anthropogenic environment (global radiation balance, ozone depletion, GH
effects, global warming)
 Man, and Environmental Processes
 Man induced soil erosion and sedimentation
 Environmental degradation and Pollution
 Extreme events, hazards and disaster
 Environmental Planning and Management
 Global Environmental Problems and International Cooperation
3. Branches of Physical Geography

There are four branches of Physical Geography. They are:

a) Geomorphology
b) Oceanography
c) Climatology
d) Biogeography
a) Geomorphology

Geomorphology is the significant branch of physical geography. “Geo” means Earth, “Morphe”
means Form and “Logos” means Knowledge. Geomorphology may be defined as the scientific
study of surface features of the earth’s surface involving interpretative description of landform,
their origin and development, nature and mechanism of geomorphological processes which
evolve the landforms.

Scopes of Geomorphology

 The origin, age and structure of the interior of the earth, isostasy and evolution of
continents and ocean basin;
 The study of forces or movement of the earth, both endogenic (internal) and exogenic
(external);
 The characteristics, origin and distribution of the constructional reliefs namely mountain,
faults, folds etc.

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  The study of the features resulting from the interaction between endogenic and exogenic
forces involves the discussion of mode of denudational processes (Weathering and
Erosion), their mechanism of operation and resultant landforms.

Relief:

Relief is known as the difference between two elevation points on the surface of the earth. If a
surface is relatively flat then it is considered to be having low relief, while mountainous regions
are said to be having high relief. Relief features are those features which are related to landscape
of particular area. There are various structures on the surface of the earth that give rise to various
kinds of Landscapes. On a large scale, the landscapes of can be divided into three orders of relief
called Mega relief. The Mega reliefs include the largest landscapes by scale, from enormous
ocean basins and continents down to local hills, spurs, cliffs, valleys, gorges and river terraces.
Accordingly, there are three orders of relief as follows:

First Order of Relief: The broadest category of landforms includes huge continental platforms
and ocean basins. Continental platforms are the masses of crust that exist above or near sea level,
including the undersea continental shelves along the coastline. The ocean basins are entirely
below the sea level. Approximately 71 percent of the earth is covered by water, with only about
29 percent of its surface appearing as continents and islands. The distribution of land and water
in evidence today demonstrates a distinct water hemisphere and continental hemisphere.

Second Order of Relief: Second order relief features are the result of plate collision or
divergence. In the ocean basins, the second order of relief includes continental rises, slopes,
abyssal plains, mid-ocean ridges, submarine canyons, and subduction trenches. Continental
features that are classified in the second order of relief include continental masses, mountain
masses, plateaus, plains and lowlands. A few examples are the Himalayas, Alps, Rocky
Mountains, Andes, Tibetan plateau, plateau of Anatolia (Turkey), Indo-Gangetic plains, Siberian
lowlands and the plains of Mississippi. The great rock cores (shields) that form the heart of each
continental mass arc of this order.

Third Order of Relief: Third order relief features are for the most part created by erosion and
deposition of the surface as opposed to the movement of tectonic plates. The third order of relief

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includes individual peaks, cliffs, valleys, hills, spurs, gorges, sand dunes, caves, moraines,
cirques, ripples, beaches, etc. These features are identified as local landscapes.

1st Order 2nd Order (C) 3rd Order

Mountains, Plateaus
Plains
Continents Faults
Folds
peaks, cliffs, valleys, hills,
Rift Valley
spurs, gorges, sand dunes,
Continental rises
caves, moraines, cirques,
Continental slopes
ripples, beaches
abyssal plains
Oceans
mid-ocean ridges
submarine canyons
subduction trenches

Figure: Different Relief Features

b) Oceanography
 70.8 percent is covered by hydrosphere
 Total Surface Area: 509,950,000 km square
 Lithosphere: 148,890,000km square
 Hydrosphere: 361,060,000 km square

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The study of hydrosphere (ocean and sea) is called oceanography which includes the
consideration of description and analysis of physical, chemical and biological aspects.
Oceanography includes:

 Marine Geology
 Marine Geomorphology
 Physical Oceanography
 Chemistry of Ocean Water
 Bio-oceanography

Scopes of Oceanography

 Origin of ocean basins (continental drift and seafloor spreading), structure of crust and
mantle, characteristics of ocean deposits, characteristics and origin of marine landforms
(Marine Geology & Geomorphology)
 Physical properties of ocean water (temperature, pressure, salinity, density,
compressibility, viscosity, water masses and their distribution pattern) and
 The dynamics of ocean water (sea waves, currents, tides, tsunami) (Physical
Oceanography)
 Chemical Properties of ocean water (pH, Major Cations, Major Anions)
 Characteristics, evolution, distribution and dispersal of marine organism. (Bio-
oceanography)

c) Climatology

The gaseous envelop surrounding the earth is called atmosphere while the science dealing with
study of the atmospheric components and characteristics is called Meteorology and Climatology.
Climatology includes the systematic and regional studies of the atmospheric condition i.e.
weather and climate. Weather refers to the sum total of the atmospheric conditions in terms of
temperature, pressure, wind, moisture, cloudiness, precipitation, visibility etc. of a particular
place at any given time. In fact, weather denotes short term variation of atmospheric conditions
and it is highly variable. On the other hand, climate is defined as aggregate weather conditions of
any region in long-term perspective. However, climate denotes long term variation of

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atmospheric conditions and it is less variable. Climate is the integration of weather whereas
weather is the differentiation of climate.

Branches of Climatology

There are three distinct branches of Climatology:

i. Physical Climatology
ii. Regional Climatology
iii. Applied Climatology
i. Physical Climatology studies the factors and processes of regional variations of climate
conditions. Physical climatology deals with interpretation of factors responsible for the
spatial and temporal variation of exchange of air circulation, heat and humidity. Physical
Climatology Studies:
 Temperature,

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  Air pressure
 Wind speed and direction
 Moisture and humidity
 Cloudiness
 Precipitation
 Visibility
 Evaporation
 Fog
ii. Regional Climatology: Regional Climatology includes the study of types, distribution,
pattern and characteristics features of world climate. Regional Climatology is studies in
three ways on the basis of spatial scales:
a) Macro-climatic regions
b) Meso-climatic regions
c) Micro-climatic regions

iii. Applied Climatology: Applied Climatology studies the application of climate

knowledge to solve various problems faced by human society e.g. global warming and
climate change. It studies:
 The interaction between climate and biosphere

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  How does climate control and influence plants and animals?
 How does man modify climate through weather modification e.g. cloud seedling and
induced precipitation.
 Variability of climate, Climate Change, Air pollution, Climate and comfort, climate and
health, climate and society, extreme climate events.

The study of climate is also divided in three categories based on influence of climate
environment on human health and behavior.

a) Microclimate (Individual)
b) Eco or Ecological Climate (Ecosystem)
c) Geo Climate (Larger Area)
d) Biogeography:

Biosphere is a life supporting layer which surrounds the earth and makes plants and animals life
possible without any protective device. The organic world or biosphere is that part of earth which
contains living organisms- the biologically inhabited soil, air and water. So, biosphere consists
of:

 All living organisms (Biotic components)

 Energy (energy components)
 Physical Environment (Abiotic components)

There are continuous interactions between the living organisms and physical environment and
among living organisms.

Boundary/Extension/Limit of Biosphere:

The average thickness of biosphere or life supporting layer consisting of land, water, soil and
rock is about 30 km. The upper limit of biosphere is determined by the availability of oxygen,
moisture, temperature and air pressure which are necessary for the existence of organisms.
Decrease in oxygen, moisture, temperature and air pressure will increase in height in the
atmosphere limits the upper boundary of the biosphere. Though NASA has discovered that the
presence of bacteria upto the height of 15 km in the atmosphere but the lower layer of the
atmosphere up to a few hundred of meters accounts for most of the living organisms because of

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favorable environmental conditions are available for the growth and development of living
organisms in the lower part of the atmosphere. The depth of biosphere over the land is up to the
depth of deepest roots of trees or the depth up to which can live the burrowing organisms or the
depth at which lie the parent rock. The biosphere extends up to the greater depth in the oceans.
The existence of life has been detected up to a depth of 9000m, in the deep oceanic trenches and
deep see plains.

Since the living organisms of the biosphere are studied in botany, zoology, biochemistry and
geography with different viewpoint and focuses and hence there are variations in the meaning
and scope (subject matter of study) of biogeography.

Geographer:

 Distribution patterns of plants and animals

 Spatial and temporal variations
 Processes and factors responsible for this variation
 Interrelationship between biotic and abiotic

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Biologists:

 Physiological
 Morphological
 Behavioral and
 Functionals aspects of individual organisms.

Branches of Biogeography:

 Plant geography (Static nature and aggregation of static community)

 Animal Geography (mobility, micro forms, high variable behavior)
 Different opinion
 Different scientific basis, experimental researches and logical arguments
 Results are so varied and contrasting
 Geologic Process is very slow compare to one’s lifetime

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