Elemental geosystems / Robert W. Christopherson

Includes index.

Preface -- 1 Essentials of geography -- Part I: The energy-atmosphere system -- 2 Solar energy, seasons, and the atmosphere -- 3 Atmospheric energy and global temperatures -- 4 Atmospheric and oceanic circulations -- Part II: Water, weather and climate systems -- 5 Atmospheric water and weather -- 6 Water resources -- 7 Climate sytems and climate change -- Part III: Earth's changing landscape systems -- 8 The dynamic planet -- 9 Tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes -- 10 Weathering, karst landscapes, and mass movement -- 11 River systems and landforms -- 12 wind processes and desert landscapes -- 13 The oceans, coastal processes, and landforms -- 14 Glacial and periglacial landscapes -- Part IV: Biogeography system -- 15 The geography of soils -- 16 Ecosystems and biomes -- 17 Earth and the Human denominator.

"Offering a brief treatment of the elements of physical geography without sacrificing scientific content, Elemental Geosystems has been crafted to provide an accessible, systematic, and visually appealing start in physical geography. It is organized with a logical progression around the flow of energy, materials, and information to present topics in the same sequence in which they occur in nature. Engaging examples and applications of current events unfold as the author tells the story of modern Earth systems science. Climate change coverage incorporates the most current data available, and climate change science appears throughout where relevant impacts are important. Foundations of Geography; Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere; Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures; Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations.Atmospheric Water and Weather; Global Climate Systems; Water Resources; The Dynamic Planet; Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes; Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement; River Systems and Landforms; Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes; The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms; Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes; The Geography of Soils; Ecosystems and Biomes; Earth and the Human Denominator; Maps in this Text and Topographic Maps; The Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC); The Köppen Climate Classification System; Common Conversions. A useful reference for anyone interested in learning more about physical geography."