Physical Geography

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Tenth Edition, uses the combined expertise of three respected geographers to show how Earth's physical geography impacts humans, and how humans impact Earth's physical geography. The text emphasizes three essential themes to demonstrate the major roles for the discipline -- Geography as a Physical Science, Geography as the Spatial Science, and Geography as Environmental Science. With a renewed focus on examining relationships and processes among Earth systems, this text helps students understand like never before how the various systems interrelate and how humans are an integral aspect of geography. Historically the first book to take a conservation approach, the authors continue to emphasize the theme of environmental and human impacts.

Each chapter begins with a detailed table of contents, so students can anticipate exactly what they are about to learn (without having to refer to the TOC at the beginning of the book), as well as learning objectives. Learning objectives, popular in many universities, provide clear, measurable goals that students should be able to achieve. (For example: A student who completes this chapter should be able to "compare and contrast the advantages and limitations of the Thornthwaite and Köppen climate classification systems."
The revised art program, including many new photos and illustrations to increase clarity and enhance student understanding, is evident throughout this new edition of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
All figures and photographs are accompanied by a thought-provoking question that engages the student and underscores the content's relevance in the student's life.
Locator maps have been added to many photographs. These thumbnail maps provide the spatial context for the landmark or phenomena captured by the photograph, highlighting the spatial perspective and teaching location geography.
Latitude/longitude coordinates are provided for many photographs, which students can enter into Google Earth or some other digital mapping application for an alternative satellite view of the area shown in the photograph.
Robust end-of-chapter activities support group or individual study. Key terms (Define & Recall), discussion questions (Discuss & Review), critical thinking problems (Consider & Respond), hand-on activities (Apply & Learn) and for some chapters, Google Earth exercises (Locate & Explore) reinforce the text and provide ample opportunity for review, retention, and test preparation. Students are also directed to CourseMate supplemental activities online for an interactive study option.
"Map Interpretation" exercises reflect the authors' view that map-interpreting skills are a priority for any new physical geographer. These 11 comprehensive exercises, which follow all the chapters that deal with landforms, will sharpen students' cartographic skills and teach new ways to analyze and look at the physical world. The featured topographic maps present a wide spectrum of landform types from many areas of the U.S. These exercises may be used as a supplement to lab assignments. New to this edition, many of the topo maps are shown alongside satellite imagery, and lat/long coordinates are provided so students can view the area in Google Earth.
Unique "Geography's Perspective" boxes illustrate physical geography as a spatial science (how features are distributed and why), an environmental science (the processes of the Earth system and how humans interact with them), and a physical science (the properties and relationships among the Earth system's physical features). These compelling boxes grab students' attention with interesting, timely examples, ranging from mapping the paths of hurricanes to the theory of island biogeography and the importance of watersheds to environmental management.
Three chapters are devoted to climate, an integral and often insufficiently covered Earth system.
The importance of technology to current geography studies is evident throughout the book. A full chapter ("Representations of Earth") is devoted to the tools used by geographers, including an introductory discussion of techniques used in analyzing or displaying locational and environmental aspects of Earth, including remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), computer-assisted cartography, and the global positioning system (GPS). The text contains extensive use of scientific visualization products (digital visual models) generated by NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), USGS, and other government agencies. Google Earth activities and lat/long coordinates throughout the text recognize the prevalence of technology in today's students' lives and capitalize on easy access to the Internet and digital mapping applications to broaden and enliven the learning experience.

James F. Petersen
James F. Petersen is Professor of Geography at Southwest Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas. He is a broadly trained physical geographer with strong interests in geomorphology and Earth Science education. He enjoys writing about topics relating to physical geography for the public, particularly environmental interpretation, and has written a landform guidebook for Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Central Texas, as well as several field guides. He is a strong supporter of geographic education, having served as president of the National Council for Geographic education in 2000 after more than 15 years of service to that organization. He also has written or served as a senior consultant for nationally published educational materials at levels from middle school through university, and he has done many workshops for geography teachers. Most recently, he co-edited a volume of the journal GEOMORPHOLOGY, a collection of papers dealing with education in geomorphology that represented the proceedings from the Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium. Two other recent works include the opening chapter for a book on the environmental history of San Antonio, published by the University of Pittsburgh Press, and the role of field methods in geography education in the United States, for an international volume on the topic. In 2011, he received the George J. Miller Award from the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). The award, which recognizes distinguished service to geography education, is the highest honor given by the NCGE.
Dorothy Sack
Dorothy Sack, Professor of Geography at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, is a physical geographer who specializes in geomorphology. Her research emphasizes arid region landforms, including geomorphic evidence of paleolakes, which contributes to paleoclimate reconstruction. She has published research results in a variety of professional journals, edited volumes, and with the Utah Geological Survey. She also has research interests and publications on the history of geomorphology and the impact of off-road vehicles. Her work has been funded by the National Geographic Society, NSF, Association of American Geographers (AAG), American Chemical Society, and other organizations. She is active in professional organizations, having served as chair of the AAG Geomorphology Specialty Group, and several other offices for the AAG, Geological Society of America, and History of Earth Sciences Society. She enjoys teaching and research, and has received the Outstanding Teacher Award from Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences. She is the co-author of Physical Geography, 9th Edition (Brooks/Cole).
Robert E. Gabler
Robert E. Gabler has nearly five decades of professional experience. He has taught for five years in public elementary and secondary schools, in addition to teaching geography at Hunter College, City of New York, Columbia University, and Western Illinois University. At times in his lengthy career at Western, he served as chairperson of the Department of Geography and Department of Geology, and University director of International Programs. He received three University Presidential Citations for Teaching Excellence and University Service, served two terms as chairperson of the Faculty Senate, edited the Bulletin of The Illinois Geographical Society, and authored numerous articles in state and national periodicals. He is a past president of the Illinois Geographical Society, former director of coordinators and past president of the National Council for Geographic Education, and the recipient of the NCGE George J. Miller Distinguished Service Award. During his tenure at Western, Dr. Gabler traveled widely throughout the United States, western and southern Europe, eastern Asia, and India, planning, organizing, and leading university exchange programs, conducting field research, and compiling extensive slide photograph files. His major publications include, editor: A HANDBOOK FOR GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS (Illinois Office of Public Instruction); co-author: FOLLETT ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES SERIES (Follett Publishing Company); senior author: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (Rinehart Press); and senior author: ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

1. Physical Geography: Earth Environments and Systems.
2. Representations of Earth.
3. Earth-Sun Relationships and Solar Energy.
4. The Atmosphere, Temperature, and the Heat Budget.
5. Atmospheric Pressure, Winds, and Circulation Patterns.
6. Moisture, Condensation, and Precipitation.
7. Air Masses and Weather Systems.
8. Global Climates and Climate Change.
9. Low-Latitude and Arid Climate Regions.
10. Middle-Latitude, Polar, and Highland Climatic Regions.
11. Biogeography.
12. Soils and Soil Development.
13. Earth Structure, Earth Materials, and Plate Tectonics.
14. Volcanic and Tectonic Processes and Landforms.
15. Weathering and Mass Wasting.
16. Underground Water and Karst Landforms.
17. Fluvial Processes and Landforms.
18. Arid Region and Eolian Processes and Landforms.
19. Glacial Systems and Landforms.
20. Coastal Processes and Landforms.
Appendix A: SI Units and Unit Conversions.
Appendix B: Topographic Maps.
Appendix C: Understanding and Recognizing Some Common Rocks.