EXTREME ENVIRONMENTSOptional Topic 2

2 extreme environments:

1. Cold and high altitudes2. Desert and semi-arid

KEY TERMINOLOGY

Insolation is low at the poles

Belt of periglacial between 60-65deg in northern hem. Not really in southern as little land mass here.

‘Random’ areas due to high land e.g. Himalayas, Andes, Rockies.

Distribution

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Formation of Fold MountainsINTERACTIVE DEMO

The general theory is that as two plates, with land masses on them, move towards each other they push layers of accumulated sediment in the sea between them up into folds.

Thus most fold mountains will continue to grow, as the plates constantly move towards each other.

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How Latitude affects Insolation2

Periglacial Distribution3

There is an unequal distribution of land and water between the two hemispheres. The Southern Hemisphere has less land and more water.

The Northern hemisphere is about 60.7% water and 39.3% land.

The Southern hemisphere is about 80.9% water and 19.1% land.

Listen to this recording…

Imagine that you are in a “cold, high place”. Picture in your mind the scenery around you.

Write down individual words that describe your surroundings. What makes it ‘extreme’?

These could be NOUNS (objects or features) or even ADJECTIVES (descriptions of what you can see).

What challenges do these landscapes pose for human habitation or resource development?

HOMEWORK

• Complete your coloured world map. Lightly shade and annotate the locations of the world’s desert and semi-arid regions.