Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Geography 12: November 4th

 We started with reviewing waves and the anatomy of a wave.  We then talked about the erosional and depositional forces of waves through the swash and backwash and what the effect of these are on beaches.  We then talked about the specific erosional and depositional features that form because of waves.  We watched these three videos below, took some notes and read page 173, and 123-126.  We answered question #4a&b on page 130 and did a matching sheet on the features that also included labeling a diagram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w16HmD_qe_o


We then talked about Tsunamis:  we watched two videos and read pages 173 & 173



Wave Properties

Describe the unique properties of tsunami waves:
Wave height in deep ocean vs. near the shore
Wave speed in deep ocean vs. near the shore

Stages of a Tsunami

Identify and describe the four main stages of a tsunami: generation, propagation, shoaling, and inundation.

We also worked on a sheet on the parts of a wave and how the beach is affected.

From here we moved on to our field reports working on the data presentation and analysis.


Gradation Test Review: test Monday Nov. 9

 Geography 12: gradation test

The test will have a couple of diagrams, a short answer section, a paragraph section, a true/false section and a case study that you will apply the geographic thinking concepts to.  With regard to glaciation and river systems the test will focus on these in a more general fashion with regard to gradation and be more in depth with the forces of gradation that you have not been tested on.

General vocab:  

gradation, load, deposition, erosion, transport, base level

Weathering:

Mechanical Weathering  

physical weathering 

chemical  weathering     

frost shattering

Sedimentation   

pingo  

differential weathering

thermal expansion 

oxidization 

hydrolysis 

exfoliation 

sheeting


Mass Wasting

Mass wasting

Solifluction

Angle of repose

Soil creep

Slope failure

Aeolian

karst

Coastal 

Wadis                   aeolian

Pedestals

Balancing rocks

Arches

Erg

Barchan dunes

Start dunes

Transverse dunes

Parabolic dunes

Longitudinal dunes

doline/sink hole   column/pillar

Stalactite

Stalactite

Rock curtain

Cave

Spelunking

Limestone, gypsum, dolomite

Karst

Gryk                   impermeable


Tombolo               arches

Beach                  gorge

Sandspit               fjord

Longshore drift     cave

Sandbars             coves

Cliffs                     bay

Coves                  tide

Dunes            wave refraction

Stacks                headland

Stump             blowhole

Emergent coastline

Submergent coastline

Helpful hints and questions:

Be able to differentiate between erosional and depositional features for all processes of gradation that we have discussed:  glaciation, mass wasting, river systems, karst, coastal landscapes, aeolian landscapes, weathering.

Be ready to label diagrams of either coastal, karst or aeolian landscapes.There will be a case study to ready and apply the Geographic thinking concepts (know these concepts:  

  • Geographic Significance 
  • Evidence and Interpretation 
  • Patterns and Change/Trends 
  • Interactions and Associations
  • Cause & Consequence
  • Sense of Place /Geographic Perspective
  • Geographic Value Judgements 

Coastal Landscape Questions to consider:

  • Explain how longshore drift works. What role does it play in shaping coastal landscapes?

  • How do waves impact/shape coastal landscapes?

Aeolian Landscape questions to consider:

  • What are aeolian processes, and how do they differ from other geomorphological processes?

  • Describe how sand dunes are formed. What factors influence their shape and size?

  • Identify and describe the different types of sand dunes and what conditions lead to the formation of each type?

  • Explain how wind contributes to both erosion and deposition in aeolian environments. Provide examples of landforms created by each process.

  • How does vegetation influence aeolian processes?


Karst Topography questions to consider:

  • Define karst topography and explain how it forms.

  • Describe the types of bedrock most commonly associated with karst landscapes.

  • Why are these rocks particularly vulnerable to karst processes?

  • Explain the role of chemical weathering, specifically dissolution, in the development

  • of karst features.


Weathering Questions to consider:

  • Define weathering and explain how it differs from erosion.

  • List and describe the three main types of weathering: physical (mechanical), chemical

  • Explain how freeze-thaw weathering occurs and describe one example of where this might be common.

  • Describe oxidation as a form of chemical weathering. Provide an example of how oxidation can change the appearance of rocks.

  • How does climate affect the rate and type of weathering in an area?

Mass Wasting Questions to consider:

  • Define mass wasting and explain how it differs from other types of erosion.

  • Describe the role of gravity in mass wasting.

  • What is the angle of repose, and how does it affect the stability of a slope?

  • How does slope angle influence the likelihood of mass wasting?

  • Explain how water content affects the stability of slopes.

  • Describe how vegetation can stabilize slopes and prevent mass wasting.

  • How can human activities, such as deforestation, construction, and mining, increase the risk of mass wasting?

  • Describe several methods used to prevent or reduce the impact of mass wasting, such as retaining walls, drainage systems, and slope grading.

  • Discuss the potential long-term impacts of mass wasting on a river system located downstream from a landslide-prone area.


Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Geography 12: November 3rd

 Today we started the day talking about two important dates coming up:

Monday Nov. 9th - test on Gradation (less glaciation & rivers)

Friday Nov. 13th - last day of term, so last day to submit term one assignments

From here maps were submitted and then we reviewed the Friday 5.  After which the next section of the field report was introduced (data presentation & analysis).  Time was spent in groups discussing data presentation and calculations and then some time was provided to continue on with writing field reports.  We closed with this important and informative video on Coastlines:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-ELTz8DEc4


Saturday, October 31, 2026

Answers to Friday 5: Oct. 30, Geog 12

 1.  Provide two erosional and two depositional features created by wind.

Erosional

Depositional

-wadis

-barchan dunes

-pedestals

-star dunes

-balancing rocks

-transverse dunes

-arches

-parabolic dunes

-erg

-longitudinal dunes

2.  What are the three types of weathering and provide an example of each.

Chemical weathering

Mechanical/Physical Weathering 

Biological Weathering

-oxidation

-solution/carbonation

-hydrolysis 

 

-frost shattering

-Sedimentation   

-pingo  

-differential weathering

-thermal expansion 

-sheeting/exfoliation

-Lichens

-Trees

-Roots


3.  Explain carbonation.

Carbonic acid is a weak acid produced when carbon dioxide reacts with water known as carbonation. Carbonation is an important process in the formation of many caves and sinkholes.

4.  What conditions need to be present in order for a cave to form?

-the area must be tectonically stable and unaffected by glaciation for thousands of years.  Soluble bedrock like limestone, gypsum or dolomite.  A continuous flow of water through joints/cracks in this bedrock.  Acidic water.

5.  Draw a diagram that includes the major lines of latitude.



Bonus:

What is significant about the Prime Meridian?

0 degrees longitude, passes through the Greenwich, UK and time starts here.

Where did Karst Topography get it's name from?

From the Karst area of Slovenia where the first geologic study of caves occurred

Geography 12: Oct 29 & 30

 Thursday:

We did some work on Latitude and Longitude, some notes and a work sheet that included both military grid and using actual latitude and longitude to establish absolute location.  This also stemmed into a discussion on seasons and time.

We labeled these lines on a map and the seven continents.  

We did some review of Karst systems and watched this video from about 3 minutes onward.  And read pp. 118-120 in text

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0q5I3-HZI

Students worked on their field reports and corrected their river systems test.

Notes, discussion and videos on Aeolian landscapes.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-43_HBy9huc&t=2s

On Friday we had a Friday 5 and then rolled into review of Aeolian landscapes.  We watched this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugD0mM1fbDg

Students read p. 120-123 and completed a worksheet.

We finished labeling our maps (see blog post), these will be collected on Monday.

We finished up the class working on our field reports.

Friday, October 30, 2026

Geography 12 Map Review

 On your world map ensure the following are labeled:

International Date Line & Prime Meridian

Equator, Tropics, Arctic and Antarctic Circle

7 Continents

4 Oceans

Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil

Britain, France, Germany, Russia

Japan, China, India, Afghanistan, Iran

Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Geog 12: Tuesday Oct. 28

 Today in Geography 12 we talked about what makes a good map, and we looked at a map of Roger's Pass to help us prep for our field report writing.  We also took tine to ensure we had all the data we needed from the field trips.  From here we spent time working on our field report.  Everyone was super productive.

Thursday:

Review Karst Topography

Go over River tests and correct

Talk about absolute location and some basic mapping things around latitude and longitude.

Learn about Aeolian landscapes

Continue work on our field reports.


*Field reports are an in class assignment.  If you are away and need to catch up, this will need to be done either in homework club or at lunch time.  I often go home for lunch so please ensure you book ahead with me so I bring food!! :)