Physical Geography of the U.S. & Canada
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Transcript of Physical Geography of the U.S. & Canada
Physical Geography of the Physical Geography of the U.S. & CanadaU.S. & Canada
Chapter 5 Section 1Chapter 5 Section 1
- U.S. & Canada cover 7 million sq. miles
- 12% of Earth
Western FeaturesWestern Features• Pacific Ranges
– Formed by colliding plates (Pacific & N.A.)
– Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, Alaska Range, and Coast Mountains (in Canada)
Mt. McKinley (Alaska Range) = tallest peak
in N.A. at 20,320 feet
Western FeaturesWestern Features
• Great California Valley– alluvial valley
– out produces any other region in fruit & vegetable production
In Between LandformsIn Between Landforms
• Dry basins and plateaus fill area between Pacific Ranges and Rockies – Why?– rain shadow effect from Pacific Ranges
In Between LandformsIn Between Landforms
• Great Basin Region: area of low land surrounded by mts.– Great Basin, Mojave,
Sonoran, & Chihuahuan Deserts
In Between LandformsIn Between Landforms– Death Valley:
• hottest & lowest (282 ft. below sea level) place
in N. Am.• dancing rocks
phenomenon
In Between LandformsIn Between Landforms
• Columbia Plateau-– Created by lava
seeping thru cracks• Flood basalt
– Eventually part of crust sank into space left by lava
In Between LandformsIn Between Landforms• Colorado Plateau-
– Created by tectonics and erosion (Colo. River)
– Grand Canyon @ southern end
– Walls as steep as 6,000 ft
Hoover DamHoover Dam
• Built on Colorado River b/w Arizona and Nevada (1931-1935)
• What is purpose of building dam?– to provide irrigation, flood
control, and hydroelectric-power