Category: Geography Notes PPT

We usually see the Earth from the outside. We see different types of landscape structures, plains, plateaus, grasslands, deserts, beaches, islands, forests or wildlife, etc. but have you ever wondered what can be found inside the Earth? All the things we see outside or use in our daily lives are formed because of the internal processes of the earth along with external factors. Here, we will be focusing on the inside of our Earth. We will learn about the rocks and minerals found inside our Earth, their uses, the classification of rocks, and various other related concepts. 

These rocks and minerals are very useful for us and are used in various processes and products. These notes will serve the needs of students who are looking for Class 7 Geography Chapter 3 notes. 

Rocks and Minerals

These are said to be building blocks of Earth which forms various kinds of landscapes on Earth as well as provide a number of resources as well. Rocks consist of minerals and these rocks are mined to extract minerals because these have Important properties and commercial value. There is no specific structure or chemical composition of rocks but minerals do have definite structure or other properties. Each rock can consist of one or more minerals. Rocks can be formed because of various geological processes and during these processes, various minerals get collected in one rock. When rocks are mined, these are called ores and the remaining rock after extraction of minerals is called tailing.

Uses of Rocks and Minerals

• These are used in everyday life around us.

• Rocks are used for making roads, buildings, and other construction purposes.

• Some rocks which are precious are used as gemstones and some small rocks are also used in games as well.

• Minerals are used for energy purposes such as coal, petroleum, etc. whereas others like fluorite, copper, talc, kaolinite, zinc, gold, diamond, etc. are used for making different kinds of products in the manufacturing industries from paper to jewellery products, minerals are used.

Difference Between Rocks and Minerals

Classification of Rocks

The various types of rocks are mentioned below. 

Igneous Rocks

The rocks formed because of the solidification or cooling of the lava from the volcano are known as Igneous rocks. These are said to be the first and earliest rocks to be formed and other rocks are made from these rocks, thus these are also known as the primary rocks. These rocks are also considered magmatic rocks because of their formation from the magma or also called volcanic rocks because of the relationship with a volcano. These can be divided into the following two types:

These are those rocks that solidify under the crust of the Earth along with the presence of other existing rocks and it cools slowly and rocks become coarse-grained. The rocks which form deep in the crust and are coarse-grained are termed plutonic or abyssal rocks whereas the rocks which form under the crust but near the surface and are medium-grained are termed subvolcanic rocks or hypabyssal rocks.

The types of rocks which solidify above the crust of the Earth or on the surface outside are called extrusive Igneous rocks. Here, the process of cooking is not slow as compared to the intrusive one. They follow a quick solidification process because of the outside temperature present in the region thus, they are of fine quality and glassy texture.

Examples of Igneous Rocks

The first image is of Basalt which is an example of extrusive Igneous rocks and is dark in colour and finely grained whereas the other image is of coarse-grained rock i.e Diorite which is an example of intrusive igneous rocks. Other examples are Dacite, Diabase, Gabbro, Obsidian, Granite, Peridotite, etc.

Sedimentary Rocks

These are the rocks that formed on or near the surface of the Earth because of geological processes such as erosion, weathering, dissolution, precipitation or lithification, etc. And usually have distinctive layers of bedding. They can be divided into three types:

These sediments are carried in rivers or deposited in oceans or lakes and with time when the water disappears, the rock forms. Examples: sandstone, limestone, shale, etc.

• Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

They are made up of clasts of the pre-existing rocks and the names of such rocks depend upon the size of the clast or grain.

• Biologic Sedimentary Rocks

When a large number of living species die then such kinds of rocks form. Chert or limestone are formed in this way.

Examples of Sedimentary Rocks

 

The first image is of limestone and another black one shale. Breccia, Chalk, Caliche, Chert, Conglomerate, Coal, Diatomite, Flint, limestone, etc. Are the other examples.

Metamorphic Rocks

These are the rocks that are formed from igneous or sedimentary rocks or even earlier metamorphic rocks which are formed due to high pressure, high heat, or other factors. The metamorphism process leads to the transformation of the existing rocks into another form. They are of three types:

These include phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite, or marble.

• Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

These are the rocks formed because of the parallel arrangement of certain minerals under pressure and are of platy or sheet-like structure.

• Non- Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

They do not have platy or sheet-like structure and grains do not align even after having so much pressure.

Examples of Metamorphic Rocks

The first image is of Gneiss and the other one is Anthracite. Other examples are Amphibolite, Hornfels, Marble, Lapis Lazuli, Novaculite, Quartzite, Soapstone, etc.

Rock Cycle

It is a cycle of various processes that lead to the formation and transformation of various types of rocks inside or outside the crust of the Earth. The three types of rocks which are formed are called igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic due to various geological factors such as melting, cooling, heat or pressure, erosion, weathering, compacting and cementing, etc. When the heat and temperature inside the crust of the Earthrise, the magma forms which comes on the surface in the form of lava. When this lava hardened inside or outside the surface of the Earth becomes igneous rocks and when these igneous rocks erode into sediments because of various processes leads to the formation of sedimentary rocks and when these two rocks go under extreme pressure or other processes lead to the formation of metamorphic rocks which eventually are a transformation of already existing rocks.  These metamorphic rocks can be eroded further to form sedimentary rocks or can be melted into magma. Thus this cycle continues and these rocks go on the interchange from one type of rock to another. Our earth has several favourable conditions which lead to the formation or interchangeability of these rocks such as wind, water, tectonic plates, and their movements, heat or pressure, subduction, etc.

So, now we have covered the facts about Earth and have seen what does happen inside it. 

Conclusion

Thus, here in this article, we have covered Chapter 3 of Class 7 Geography i.e. Inside our Earth. These notes will be useful for those who are in Class 7 or even the students of upper classes to understand the basic concepts. These will be helpful for those who find it difficult to read the chapter in the book and make notes out of it. has eased your work by providing you with these crisp as well as comprehensive notes which will surely help you to understand the concepts properly as well as in revising the whole chapter quickly. You can check out notes of all other chapters or topics and other subjects as well on our website. These are created and prepared by the subject matter experts of after thorough research to help you in your studies. We believe that these notes will surely help you to grow.

A landform is a natural or artificial feature of the solid surface of the Earth or other planetary body. The terrain landscape formed due to the landform is topography. The characteristic physical attributes like slope, stratification, elevation, orientation, rock exposure, and soil type categorize landforms. Landform includes hills, mounds, ridges, berms, cliffs, rivers, valleys, volcanoes, peninsulas, and various other structures. Minor landforms include canyons, valleys, basins, and buttes, whereas major landforms are hills, mountains, plateaux, and plains. 

Coastal Landforms Definition

Coastal landforms mean any of the relief features remaining on the coast because of the combination of processes, sediments, and the geology of the coast itself. The development and persistence of landforms are the results of a combination of processes acting on sediments and rocks present on the coast. The power and current of waves play a major role in these processes. 

Beach, delta, coastal dune, wave-cut platform, a sea stack, sea cliff, and sea arch are some of the famous coastal landforms.

Erosional and Depositional Landforms 

There are two major types of coastal landforms – erosion and deposition. The erosional and depositional landforms, though they contain some similar features, show distinct different types of landforms. Erosional landforms show high relief and rugged topography. They can be seen on the leading edge of lithospheric plates, the west coasts of North and South America. The erosional coasts also occur due to glacial activity, which is seen in New England and the Scandinavian countries.

The erosional features are dominated by exposed bedrocks with steep slopes and high elevations near the shore. The bedrocks resist the erosion leading to its slow rate of shoreline retreat. The type of rocks and their lithification play a major role in the rate of erosion.

 

Features of Sea Erosion  

Seacliff Formation

The sea bedrock cliffs range from a few meters to hundreds of meters above sea level. The sea cliff landforms are the most widespread of erosion coasts. The wave-induced erosion near sea level and collapse of rocks at higher elevation lead to vertical nature. One can observe a notch in cliffs when they are extended to the shoreline where waves batter the bedrock.

At the base of the sea cliffs, one can find many veneers of sediment that form a beach. The sediment might be of sand, but it is more of cobbles or boulders, a coarse material. These types of beaches might get demolished with the strong waves during the stormy seasons as they are made in low wave-energy conditions. Some beaches of California and Oregon are its example. 

Coastal erosion means breaking down and carrying away materials by the sea, and deposition means the material carried away by sea is deposited or left behind on the coast. Coastal erosion happens due to ‘destructive waves’. We know that in the stormy season, the waves are very powerful and can destroy material into pieces. The strong backwash of waves pulls the material away in the sea.

Destructive Waves  

Erodes through four main processes as –

It is a force against the coastline that leads to dislodging and carrying the material away by the sea.

This can be seen in rocky areas when the water burst against the crack of rocks. These cracks keep on spreading as the air gets compressed and decompressed because of the waves crashes. The creation of caves is the result of compression as the rocks go on breaking off.

Abrasion means when the material is thrown to the coast with the swashes, they tend to break and spread, and this leads to more material backwashing into the sea. 

Attrition means the crashing of rocks and stones against each other while they are carried away by the sea. The attrition gives result formation of sand and rounded pebbles on the beach. 

When the cracks in the rock at the base are eroded and expanded by the continuous crashing of waves, the sea caves are formed. It is the result of constant compression and hydraulic action.

Sea arch is formed when the headland is broken through while waves continue to erode and expand to cut through.

Sea stack means the sea arch is no more capable of supporting till the root and falls broken in the sea. The remaining pillar-like rock is called a sea stack.

The sea stump means a broken pillar is remaining just above sea level. It is a sea stuck almost completely eroded.

Constructive Waves  

Are of low energy and high swashes. Swashes mean the waves deposit or drop the material on the coast. They have stronger swashes than backwashes. This leads to a build-up of material washed away during backwashes. This results in the formation of beaches. 

Magma is described as the extremely hot liquid or the semi-liquid rock which is situated under the Earth’s surface. This magma can easily push through the holes or the cracks in the crust surface which causes a volcanic eruption. When the magma flows or it erupts onto the Earth’s surface, this is given a new name called lava. Like a solid rock that has many constituents, magma is also a mixture of many minerals.

Magma, the word has originated from ancient Greek which means ‘thick unguent’. This is a molten or semi-molten material that is of course naturally produced. They also form the igneous rocks in this process. In another study, it is proved that the magma which is found underneath the earth’s surface has magmatism that is similar to be found on other terrestrial planets and other natural satellites. Apart from molten rock, this magma may also contain suspended crystals and gas bubbles. 

Magma Rock 

Magma is molten or half molten rock that also forms igneous rocks. These magma rocks consist of silicate liquid. The magma tricks at the depth of the earth’s surface which is afterwards ejected in the form of lava. The suspended crystals and the fragments of unmelted rock may also be transported in the magma; this is also dissolved and with high volatility may get separated as bubbles and some liquid may also get crystallized during this movement. Other such intertwined physical properties are also responsible to determine the characteristics of magma. This will also lead to describe the chemical composition of the magma, viscosity of the magma, the dissolved gases in the magma, and its temperature.  

Molten Magma

Molten Magma mostly exists in the lower part of the Earth’s crust and also in the upper portion of the mantle. So, the mantle and the crust are solid, and hence the presence of magma is quite crucial to the understanding of the geology and the morphology of the mantle. 

Magma here forms from the partial melting of the mantle rocks. As these rocks move upward (or they have water as added to them), they begin to melt a little bit. These then melt and migrate upward and form larger volumes that continue to swim upward. They also may collect in the magma chamber. Also, they might just come straight up. 

While they rise, the molecules of gas present in the magma come out of this solution and form bubbles and as these bubbles rise, they gradually expand. After which the pressure of bubbles becomes stronger than the surrounding solid rock and then this surrounding rock fractures, which allows the magma to get to the surface of it. 

Magma and Lava 

We use the term ‘magma’ which means underground molten rock and we also use the term ‘lava’ for the molten rock which breaks through the Earth’s surface.

The accurate distinction between magma and lava is about its location. When we refer to magma, we indicate the molten rock which is being trapped underground. While, when the molten rock comes up to the surface this keeps flowing like a liquid, and then this is called the lava.

Magma is hotter than lava. The hotness actually depends on when the lava has reached the surface and also if the magma and the lava emit from the same magma chamber.

Basaltic Magma 

Basaltic lava, also known as the mafic lava, is the molten rock that is enriched in iron and magnesium with depleted in silica. The basaltic magmas are formed by exceeding the melting point of the mantle that is either by adding the heat or changing its composition or by decreasing its pressure.

Basaltic magma is also formed through the dry partial melting of the mantle. The mantle lies quite below the crust of the earth. The Basalts also make up most of the crust of the ocean, thus the basaltic magma is generally found in the oceanic volcanoes.

Types of Magma 

There are three types of magma: basaltic, andesitic, and rhyolitic. All of these has a different mineral composition. All this type of magma has a significant percentage of silicon dioxide. 

• Basaltic magma is high in iron, magnesium, and calcium but it has deficient or it is low in potassium and sodium. 

• Andesitic magma has adequate amounts of all these minerals.

• Rhyolitic magma is high in potassium and sodium while it is low in iron, magnesium, and calcium. 

Andesitic Magma 

Andesitic magma has moderate amounts of minerals, with a rising temperature that ranges from about 800oC to 1000oC. The Rhyolitic magma is quite high in potassium and sodium but it is low in iron, magnesium, and calcium. 

Magma Volcano 

These are the molten rock inside the earth, they are deeper in the Earth’s surface are hot rocks that slowly melt and this becomes a thick flowing substance which is called magma. Since this is lighter than the solid rock that is around it the magma rises and then collects in magma chambers. Thus, in this process, some of the magma pushes through vents and fissures coming down to the Earth’s surface.

The microclimate or miniature climate is the local or small-scale environmental conditions that influence plant growth and development, such as evapotranspiration and wind. This term is often used as an equivalent for a macroclimate, the seasonal or large-scale climate. As a result of the plant effect, we can observe different types of microclimates. 

A microclimate is more localized than the weather or local climate and is therefore generally much easier to understand and predict. Weather conditions, on the other hand, have a larger projection and, as a result, are more difficult to predict.

Factors that influence Microclimate

The microclimate is affected by the weather, and the weather is affected by the wind, temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure. There is a clear relationship between wind and temperature: the temperature is cooler in an area with light wind and warmer in an area with heavier wind. 

This concept of microclimate is very important, as it plays an important role in the growth of plants. In a greenhouse, there are two types of microclimates:

• A sheltered microclimate is present in the greenhouse. This microclimate results from the greenhouse itself, which may protect the plant from the sun. 

• A natural microclimate is that which is present outdoors. The temperature of the soil is affected by the amount of shade cast by the surrounding vegetation and by the presence or absence of water. Air movement caused by the wind may also be important. This can also contribute to increased humidity. Plant growth is related to microclimates that support high levels of light and heat.

Microclimates play a critical role in how people experience various climate zones in different seasons.

There are a lot of factors that determine what a microclimate is and in fact, the term.

“microclimate” itself is a misnomer because there are really many different climate zones and microclimates, which can vary greatly.

But to get to the point, what is the temperature of the microclimate?

This is a critical aspect of climate zones because as the microclimate temperature approaches the dew point, the temperature of the airdrops and dew forms at the same time, the winds start to be warmer and that means the air is starting to be loaded with water vapor.

What you are seeing is the combination of temperature and humidity dropping and the air becoming heavy with water vapor, which explains why the air becomes heavy and becomes more prone to precipitation. This occurs most visibly in fog, but it also occurs in clouds, and when the air gets heavy with water vapor, it is able to produce precipitation.

A microclimate is a small region, such as a square meter or a meter-cube, that has its own environmental conditions, with its own conditions of heat and cold, light, and humidity.

For example, many of the plants in a small garden can have their own unique microclimates with particular conditions such as soil moisture, air humidity, and wind direction. A specific plant can be placed in a certain place in order to obtain the desired microclimate. For example, a potted plant can be kept in a location that is shaded most of the day. In a greenhouse, the microclimate can be used to regulate the relative humidity, temperature, and airflow.

In some of the literature, the microclimate is also called a site environment or a local environmental condition.

Causes

In a microclimate, the sun is closer to the ground (more direct sunlight) than it is to an observer, usually resulting in lower temperatures for that observer. This situation can be created by different types of vegetation. For example, tall trees shade smaller plants. However, in dense forests, the canopy shade is a secondary factor as the foliage is too dense to permit sunlight to reach the ground.

For a greenhouse or other structure that receives direct sunlight throughout the day, the effect of canopy shading is more important.

The intensity of direct sunlight in a given microclimate is a function of a number of factors: 

• The difference in elevation between the microclimate and an observer

• The tilt of the solar path relative to the surface

• The angle of the solar surface is relative to the vertical. In an example, the direct sunlight of noon is 10 percent of that of noon. This factor may be used to estimate the solar exposure of a microclimate.

Some types of plants, such as vines and deciduous trees, reduce the temperature of their leaves by evapotranspiration. Leaves are evaporative surfaces, and evaporative cooling reduces the temperature of the leaves. However, in the case of most vines, their water-conserving behavior is a function of soil moisture, while evaporative cooling occurs when soil moisture is greater than the plants’ root zone capacity. The water-conserving behavior is a function of soil moisture that allows the plants to maximize the quantity of water that is available to the plant. Evaporative cooling is a function of both leaf and soil moisture.

Light intensity is also an important factor. A shade tree can be planted in a sunnier location to provide shade for the rest of the garden. A structure can be built to collect the light and redirect it. The building can be located on a different day from the light that reaches the ground, or it can be located at a different time of day.

The wind pattern affects the shape and distribution of a greenhouse, and it affects the distribution of light and air humidity. The effect of wind on the air inside a greenhouse is often called a wind shadow. Many different forms of wind, such as the wind gusts, the wind direction, and the wind speed, are significant factors in the design of a greenhouse. The microclimate is sometimes used synonymously with the microclimate of a plant.

Uses

A microclimate can be used for the following:

• Plant phenology: the observation of growth, flowering, fruiting, and the death of a plant

• Water balance: the calculation of the evaporation and transpiration of water from plants

• Climatic studies: the comparison of a microclimate with the seasonal climate of a region

• Plant selection: the placement of plants that have specific needs for microclimate

• Design: the specification of a structure in terms of space usage

• Air quality and air pollution: the reduction of harmful gasses, like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide

The microclimate is the aggregate of environment variables, including temperature, humidity, radiations, and to which plant is exposed. It is the climate near the Earth’s surface and it is distinct from the local climate or weather projection microclimate because of the earth effects and, most importantly, the presence of vegetation.

Microclimates occur, for example near the water bodies, which may cool the atmosphere, or in heavily urban areas where brick, concrete and asphalt absorb the sun’s energy, heat up and radiate that heat to the ambient air then the resulting urban heat island is a kind of microclimate.

The term “microclimate” is first introduced in publications such as “Climates in Miniature”: A Study of Microclimate Environment (Thomas Bedford, Franklin).

Microclimatology

The term microclimatology is defined as the scientific investigation of microclimate, and it’s concerned with the atmospheric layer that extends from the Earth surface to a height where the consequences of the features of the supporting surface can no longer be differentiated from the local climate (American Meteorological, 2000).

Urban Microclimate

Urban microclimate can be defined as the local climate observed in the urban areas, which differs from the climate of the surrounding rural areas. Several factors are responsible for creating an unhealthy urban microclimate.

Human-generated heat is the biggest factor and much of it is caused by internal combustion by car engines that use fossil fuels. Cars also cause pollution and moisture to the air. All the heat- retaining covered surface required for cars makes the climate more unhealthy. Other factors that are responsible for creating unhealthy urban microclimates are poor building constructions and designs, inferior insulating materials, and inefficient building management practices. 

Microclimate Parameters

Two microclimate parameters that define microclimate within a certain area are temperature and humidity. 

Macro and Micro Climate

A microclimate is defined as the variations in localized climate around a building, whereas a microclimate is the climate of larger areas such as a region or country. The macro and microclimate have a crucial effect on both the energy and atmospheric performance of buildings during the summer season.

The construction site affects exposure to the prevailing wind, the solar radiation the building receives, pollution level, temperature and rain penetration.

Factors Affecting Microclimate And Microclimate

The factors that adversely affect macroclimate and microclimate are discussed below.

Macroclimate is Affected By the following factors:

A microclimate is Affected by the following factors:

Outsiders Designer Control

• Area and local climate

• Site surrounding

• Site shape

• Topography features

• Surrounding Buildings

Within Designer’s Remit

• Location of open areas

• Spacing and orientation of buildings

• Form and height of a building

• Fenestration

• Tree covers

• Windbreak

• Ground Profiling

• Surrounding Surface (paving grass etc.)

 

Climate and Microclimate

Weather is defined as the atmospheric condition at a certain point in time or a short period of time. It is characterized by distinct methodological events such as air velocity, temperature, air pressure, and their interactions. On the other hand, climate can be defined as the average state of the atmosphere and related characteristics of the underlying water or land in a particular region for a long duration. The term microclimate can be used to describe an indoor climate, i.e., the condition of the area in a certain closed space. 

Difference between the Climate and Microclimate

The difference between climate and microclimate is that the climate is an area of the Earth’s surface between two parallels of latitude, whereas microclimate is a small, local region retaining a unique pattern of weather or weather effects that differs from the local climate. 

Did You Know?

• North California above the Bay Area is renowned for microclimate with significant temperature differences.

• San Francisco is a city with microclimate and sub microclimates.

• The Chesapeake Bay is also known for its subtropical climates.

• The wind microclimate around buildings is the result of the layout of the building.

• A microclimate is advantageous for gardeners who carefully choose and position their plants.

• Tall buildings in urban areas create their own microclimate both by overshadowing larger areas and by channelizing strong wind to ground level.

• Halixa, Nova Scotia has varied microclimates.

We usually use references of some hemispheres to define the location of the country or we use the name of the continent it is part of. If we talk about India, it is present in the Northern-Eastern Hemisphere of the globe. In this article, we will discuss the two latitudinal divisions of the Earth i.e Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. We will talk about what is the meaning of the northern and southern hemispheres and their distinctive features and will learn the difference between the two at the end. This article will help you to understand the major divisions of the Earth that will be useful in your studies.

 

Hemisphere:

It basically refers to the half divisions of anybody. We can divide the Earth into various such equal divisions. These divisions can be longitudinal or latitudinal. On the basis of an imaginary line of the equator, it can be the northern or southern hemisphere and on the basis of the prime meridian, it can be the eastern or western hemisphere. The Northern and Southern Hemisphere are basically hemispheres of the Earth on a latitudinal basis. Let’s study these two important hemispheres deeply:

 

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Northern Hemisphere

Let’s have a look at all the aspects of the Northern Hemisphere.

Northern Hemisphere Definition & Meaning:

The part of the Earth above the imaginary line i.e. the equator is called the Northern hemisphere. Everything above this 0° line is part of this Hemisphere. It is half part of the Earth which consists of more land than water and has the largest population of the Earth.

 

Features

Various features that describe this Hemisphere are mentioned below:

Topography:

It has a wide variety of topography and climatic features. This hemisphere has more land as compared to the southern part and this availability of land plays a great role in its Geography. The availability of such huge land along with water bodies plays a great impact on weather and climate patterns. The land in this hemisphere consists of,

• Whole Europe

• Whole North America

• The entire continent of Asia

• A small portion of South America

• ⅔ part of the African continent

• Very Small parts of the continent Australia and islands in New Guinea.

The lithosphere of this hemisphere consists of different types of topography. Mountains, plateaus, hills, valleys, rivers and lakes, plains, islands, etc. all kinds of topography and landforms can be found here.

 

Climate:

The climate varies with respect to the location. This hemisphere has both tropical and temperate climates. Tropic of cancer and arctic circle both are both of this hemisphere which provides different climate zones to this hemisphere. The regions between the tropic of cancer and equator experience hot temperature i.e between 0° to 23.5°N. The regions between 23.5°N to 66.5°N are the regions that are influenced by both the tropics and the poles. In the northern temperate zones, the temperature is relatively cold with different seasons. The Mediterranean type of climate and British type of climate are also distinctive features of the climate of this hemisphere.

 

Seasons:

Different seasons are there in this hemisphere.

• In June, it experiences the summer solstice.

• In September, it experiences the autumnal equinox. This is the time of the autumn season.

• In December, it experiences the winter season.

• And in March, it experiences the vernal equinox. This is the time of spring season in this hemisphere.

Coriolis Force:

It is one of the most important components of the physical Geography of the northern hemisphere. This is a special effect because of which various objects deflect in a specific direction. In the northern hemisphere, the objects move in the right direction or can stay in the clockwise direction. This affects the movement of the water, or atmospheric air or winds, etc which leads to a huge effect on the regular weather and climatic conditions. 

 

Northern Hemisphere Population:

The northern hemisphere continent has a large area of land and thus there are a number of countries and places for the people to live. The majority of the population of the Earth lives in this hemisphere and it has all large or small cities of the world. Similarly, the majority of the population of various varieties of vegetation and wildlife is also present in this hemisphere.

 

Southern Hemisphere

Let’s have a look at all the aspects of the southern hemisphere.

Southern Hemisphere Definition or Meaning:

The part of the earth below the imaginary line of the equator is called the southern hemisphere. Everything that lies under it is part of the southern hemisphere. It consists of around 81% of water (which is more than the Northern Hemisphere) and 32% of the land (which is less than the Northern Hemisphere).

 

Features

The various features of the southern hemisphere are mentioned below:

Topography:

Similar to the Northern hemisphere, there is also a wide variety of topography in the southern hemisphere. As we can see on the map as well, if we compare both hemispheres, this hemisphere has less lithosphere and has more water. It is also considered a bit larger than the northern one. The water bodies present here are the Indian Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, Southern Ocean, and the South Pacific ocean. Southern hemisphere continents and the land here consists of;

Climate:

It has more water than land and water takes more time to warm as well as to cool down and thus it has a milder climate than the upper hemisphere. Tropic of Capricorn and Antarctic circle are part of this hemisphere and they have a great influence on the temperature and climatic conditions of this Hemisphere. 0° to 23.5°S are torrid zones which are influenced by both equator and Tropic of Capricorn whereas 23.5°S to 66.5°S serves the South Temperate zone which mostly consists of water and beyond 66.5°S is the South Frigid zone that covers 4.12% of the area of the Earth.

 

Seasons:

Similar to the Northern hemisphere, there are also different types of seasons during the year here in this hemisphere as well. The seasons are not similar but exactly opposite to the northern hemisphere. These are mentioned below:

• In the month of June, it experiences the winter solstice when there is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

• In the month of September, it experiences the spring season or we can say vernal equinox when there is an autumnal equinox above.

• In the month of December, it experiences the summer season or summer solstice when there are winters above.

• In the month of March, it experiences the autumn season, or can say the autumnal equinox when there is spring season above.

Coriolis Force:

It is one of the most important components of the physical Geography of the southern hemisphere as well. This is a special force because of which various objects deflect in a specific direction. In the southern hemisphere, the objects move in the left direction or can stay in the anti-clockwise direction. It can change the directions of the trade winds which move from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere or vice versa. This affects the movement of the water, or atmospheric air or winds, etc which leads to a huge effect on the regular weather and climatic conditions.

 

Population:

As this is already clear that it has less land as compared to the above hemisphere thus, less population is there. It has around 32.7% of the land of the Earth and only 10 to 12% of the population of the Earth lives here.

 

The difference between the two hemispheres is mentioned in the table:

Difference Between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere

 

More About the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere

The above text was flooded with information. It gave you the idea of the southern and northern hemispheres, their features and also its difference. It was very informative and also the conclusion was very short and useful. 

Geography is a part of Social Science that includes lots of learning. You need to learn and revise a lot while you are preparing for this subject. The best way to remember things is to keep saying them aloud or narrate them to someone. 

The below-mentioned tricks will help you get better grades and also will prove to be the best for you.

Hence, students shall try adding them to their schedules and with that, it is also important to understand that no single strategy would work for everyone but to succeed, it is important to observe, select and do what’s best for you. 

Stop multitasking. Your brain gets tired soon and you may need more frequent breaks. Don’t let your brain get tired so easily. For example, if you are doing Math, you should not start with physics or any other subject simultaneously, keep your focus on 1 subject and then start with another one. 

Whatever device you are using for your studies, should be completely distraction-free. It should not have any social media or any games. It should be used for study purposes only. You may use some other device while resting or during your breaks. You should not be missing any breaks, make them relax and start again because it is also important to allow your mind to calm. All you need to take care of is the devices that you use. 

If you are not able to concentrate and are experiencing running thoughts, you should take a paper and write down about everything that you are thinking and then start with your studies. It will help you focus better on your preparation. Keep your mind clear and calm during the study time because, with unnecessary stress and anxiety, you won’t get results. This trick is also very useful in exam time as it helps you gain focus and realign concentration. 

A hydrated body always helps your concentration to improve. If you are not in the habit of drinking water, do it right away, start your day with a glass of water and keep your bottle on your study table throughout the day, you will automatically be reminded of it, keep sipping water and for sure you will have more energy. 

Self-testing is testing your knowledge about a particular topic through quizzes or sample questions. Cheating in self-testing is like cheating your own self which is wrong. The self-test should feel hard, you should come to the level of retest, it should be honest as this will only give you a true picture about your clarity for that particular concept. 

Stop whenever you feel like it, stop guilt-free at any time whenever your body is tired. Listen to your body, don’t stretch your capacities. If you are feeling exhausted, close your books and take a power nap. Fix a time at night which should not be stretched, don’t let your sleep compromise. Just keep your mind and body happy and they will give you more power to study and ace your studies. 

If you are not able to go according to your schedule and not able to achieve the goals then you need to understand that the goals set are too high and unrealistic. These goals cannot be achieved at the moment but will be achievable soon with practice which will increase your speed. Like if you are aiming to study for about 8 hours a day then for now you should aim for 5 hours. Don’t stretch yourself too much, just keep increasing it slowly. 

Conclusion

Thus, in this article, we have covered everything required and necessary about the two hemispheres of the Earth ie. The Northern hemisphere and Southern hemisphere. We have studied their various features such as their topography, land or ocean composition, population, the occurrence of seasons, temperature and climatic conditions, the effect of Coriolis force, etc. All these things clearly define and demarcate the difference between the two as well. This article will not only increase your basic knowledge about the Earth and its divisions but also will help in your academic journey.

 

We have read in detail what is the northern hemisphere and what is the southern hemisphere and their related features comprehensively. Let’s practice some of the related FAQs:

Outwash plains are wide, tenderly sloping sheets of glacial sediments deposited by meltwater outwash at the snout of the glaciers. As it flows, glaciers crush the underlying rock surface and carry the scrap along with it. The sediments are accumulated at the terminal of the glaciers over the outwash plain by the meltwater, with large stones accumulated near the terminal moraine, and finest particles are carried further. 

Outwash plains are commonly found in Iceland where geothermal activity speeds up the melting of ice flow and deposition of sediments carried by melting water. The other name outwash plains are sandur (plural: sabdurs), sandar, and sandr.

What is Outwash Plain?

An outwash plain is both an erosional and depositional surface formed by meltwater coming from the glaciers. These plains are generally identified by braided streams and found in the front of the glaciers. The streams are generally small and braided because the size of the sediment varies and the original stream gets split up. As the streams meander around, the erosion takes place left to right rather than up and down. These glaciers are generally formed beyond the terminal moraine deposited by the glaciers.

Define Outwash Plain 

A wide, tenderly sloping sheet of outwash accumulated by meltwater streams flowing in front of or beyond a glacier, and formed by coalescing outwash fans is defined as an outwash plain.

Outwash Plains Formation

A fluvioglacial landform formed by both deposition and erosion by meltwater is a glacial outwash plain or sandur that generally has braided streams. Glaciers and icecaps contain large quantities of sediments and slits, that are picked up as they erode by the meltwater that carries the sediments away from the glaciers and deposit them on a broad plain. The materials in the outwash plain are size-sorted by the surface water of the melting glacier, with small particles like a slit, being the most distantly re-deposited, whereas the largest sediments are re-deposited to the original terminus of the glaciers. 

Outwash Plains Occurrence

The Kerguelen Islands, Svalbard, and Iceland are the islands where the outward plains are found. Outwash plains are also most commonly found where geothermal activities below the ice caps accelerate the deposits of the sediments by meltwater. 

Glacial Outwash 

The considerable amount of water that flowed from melting ice deposited different kinds of materials, the most important of which are glacial outwash. Glacial outwash plains made up of outwash deposits are flat and consist of layers of sand and other fine sediments. The plains at the bottom of the glacial mountains or the reserve of continental ice sheets are covered with glacial-fluvial deposits in the form of broad flat alluvial fans which combine to form an outwash plain of sand, silt, and clay.  

The thickness of the outwash can reach 100 m (328 feet) at the end of the glacier, although the thickness is usually much less, it may extend many kilometres in length. Outwash plain may be extended for miles beyond the margin of the glaciers. 

Outwash sediments from the Wisconsin Glacial episode can be tracked down to the mouth of the Mississippi River, 1120 km (700 miles) from the nearest terminus of the glacial.

Did You Know?

• An outwash, also known as sandur, is a plain formed by melting glaciers.

• Outwash plain on the map is found in the southeast quarter.

• The largest outwash plain in the world covering an area of 1300 km is Skeiðarársandur.

• Outwash plains are commonly found in Iceland where geothermal activity speeds up the melting of ice flow and deposition of sediments by meltwater.

• A terminal moraine, also known as end moraine is a type of moraine that is formed at the edge of the glacier, making its maximum advance.