Canada's Physical Geography Overview
40 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does ecumene refer to in geography?

  • Areas deemed unsuitable for agriculture
  • Inhabited land that is used for economic purposes (correct)
  • Uninhabited land areas
  • Regions with a high industrial output

    • Which statement is NOT a characteristic of a physiographic region?

  • It is a small area with highly variable relief features (correct)
  • It is shaped by a common set of geomorphic processes
  • It possesses a common geological structure
  • It extends over a large, contiguous area

    • Which physiographic region of Canada is the largest?

  • Canadian Shield (correct)
  • Interior Plains
  • Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands
  • Western Cordillera

    • What type of rock is primarily found in the Canadian Shield?

    <p>Precambrian rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process contributed to the formation of the Interior Plains?

    <p>Deposition of sediments from a shallow sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How old are some of the rocks found in the Canadian Shield?

    <p>Between 600 and 3500 million years old</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the seven physiographic regions of Canada?

    <p>Appalachian Plateau</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary composition of the Canadian Shield's surface?

    <p>A rugged, rolling upland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does physical geography have on human settlement and industry?

    <p>It influences the distribution of population and industrial activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological process shaped the Canadian Shield during the growth of the Laurentide Ice Sheet?

    <p>Glacial erosion and deposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is formed from the deposition of material by meltwater streams beneath a glacier?

    <p>Eskers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of resources does the Canadian Shield primarily offer for industrial use?

    <p>Vast and varied mineral resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of the Canadian Shield is noted for its potential mineral development opportunities?

    <p>Ontario’s Ring of Fire</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary geological event occurred roughly 175-85 million years ago that influenced the Cordillera region?

    <p>The collision of the Pacific and North American plates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are drumlins composed of in the Canadian Shield?

    <p>Till, shaped by ice movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What notable industries emerge from the resources and environment of the Canadian Shield?

    <p>Mining and tourism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main ground cover in the Hudson Bay Lowlands region?

    <p>Muskeg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which physiographic region of Canada is known for having a cold and dry climate?

    <p>Arctic Lands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant geological process is currently affecting the Hudson Bay Lowlands?

    <p>Isostatic rebound</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following communities is NOT one of the three largest in the Arctic Lands?

    <p>Iqaluit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of Canada's land mass is represented by the Appalachian Uplands?

    <p>2%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands?

    <p>Contains some of Canada’s largest cities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which natural feature is commonly found in the Arctic Lands due to physical weathering?

    <p>Pingos</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has contributed to the decline of the economy in the Appalachian Uplands?

    <p>Demise of the fishing industry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which river is the second longest in North America?

    <p>Mackenzie River</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant characteristic of the Mackenzie River drainage basin?

    <p>Low precipitation resulting in minimal stream-flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the Kemano site play in the Pacific Drainage Basin?

    <p>It provides power for an aluminum smelter in Kitimat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which major pollutant is highlighted as affecting lands and waters in Canada?

    <p>Mining industry activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of waste poses a long-term hazard due to its radioactive properties?

    <p>Nuclear waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern regarding mining wastes stored in tailing ponds?

    <p>They pose a risk of leakage or rupture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is used in nuclear energy production to generate steam?

    <p>Splitting of a heavy atom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental impact arose from human activity since the Industrial Revolution?

    <p>Notable agent of environmental change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geographical feature influenced the landscape of the Lawrence Lowlands?

    <p>The Champlain Sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the nature of Canada’s climate?

    <p>It has seven climatic zones impacted by various factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Canada rank in terms of coastline length?

    <p>It has the longest coastline in the world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the impacts of climate change mentioned?

    <p>Extreme weather events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines Canada’s inland waterway?

    <p>It extends for over 3,700 km.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a major climate factor affecting Canada?

    <p>Tectonic plate movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes to Canada being considered a maritime country?

    <p>Its extensive inland waters and long coastline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the factors listed that is causing changes to Canada's climate?

    <p>Greenhouse gases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Canada's Physical Geography

    • Canada's Physical Geography is shaped by its unique landforms, geology, and climate
    • Ecumene - Inhabited land, used for permanent homes, agriculture, and other economic activities
    • Physiography - Study of landforms, underlying geology, and processes that shape them
    • Physiographic Region - Large area with a single dominant landform, shaped by common geological processes
    • Canada has Seven Physiographic Regions with varying ages, geological structures, and resources:
      • Canadian Shield - Largest, oldest (4.5 billion years), rugged, rolling upland, rich in minerals (copper, gold, diamonds, nickel, iron, uranium)
        • Shaped by glacier erosion and deposition, creating drumlins, eskers, and major lakes
        • Abundant hydroelectric power, forested landscapes, and tourism opportunities
      • Cordillera - Formed by Pacific and North American plate collision, creating mountain ranges and valleys
        • Features glacial spillways, sculpted by retreating glaciers
      • Hudson Bay Lowlands - Vast wetland, dotted with lakes and ponds
        • Muskeg peat dominates, underlain by permafrost
        • Youngest physiographic region, formed 10,000 years ago
        • Undergoing isostatic rebound (post-glacial uplift), making it poorly drained and challenging for settlement
      • Arctic Lands - Centered on the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, known for cold, dry climate and permafrost
        • Patterned ground and pingos (ice-cored hills) are common landforms
        • Majority of people live along coastal plains, with major settlements like Inuvik, Aklavik, and Tuktoyaktuk
      • Appalachian Uplands - Covers 2% of Canada, including Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
        • Rounded uplands and narrow river valleys
        • Early European settlement, but declining fishing industry has weakened the economy
      • Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands - Smallest physiographic regions, but home to major Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, etc.)
        • Fertile soil, favorable physical setting makes it Canada's main ecumene and manufacturing core
        • Shaped by the Champlain Sea, leaving behind terraces sloping towards the St. Lawrence River

    Climate in Canada

    • Canada's Climate is influenced by its location, geography, and global climate change
    • Canada is a Maritime Country with the longest coastline, largest offshore zone, largest freshwater system, and longest inland waterway
    • Climate Factors/Controls -
      • Latitude - Distance from the equator, influencing temperature
      • Continental/maritime Location - Proximity to oceans moderates temperature fluctuations
      • Mountain Barriers - Can block air masses and affect precipitation patterns
      • Ocean Currents - Warm and cold currents influence local climate
    • Air Masses over Canada -
      • Maritime Polar (mP) - Cool, moist, originates over the North Atlantic
      • Continental Polar (cP) - Cold, dry, originates over the interior of North America
      • Maritime Tropical (mT) - Warm, moist, originates over the Gulf of Mexico
      • Continental Tropical (cT) - Warm, dry, originates over the Southwest United States
    • Impact of Climate Change -
      • Extreme Weather Events - More frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms
      • Permafrost - Thawing permafrost causing land instability and infrastructure damage
      • Sea and Lake Ice - Reduction in ice cover, impacting ecosystems and transportation

    Canada’s Drainage Basins

    • Arctic Drainage Basin - Dominated by the Mackenzie River (second longest in North America), flows northward
      • Includes Athabasca, Liard, and Peace Rivers
      • Limited hydropower potential due to low precipitation
    • Pacific Drainage Basin - Smallest in size but second highest water volume
      • Heavy precipitation along the Coast Ranges contributes to high streamflow
      • Numerous hydroelectric projects, such as Kemano, powering aluminum smelters

    Pollution in Canada

    • Human Activity is a significant source of environmental change
    • Mining Industry is a major polluter of lands and waters
    • Fossil Fuel Burning by power plants and vehicles leads to air and atmospheric pollution
    • Waste Management -
      • Nuclear Waste - Highly radioactive, posing a significant risk to human health and requiring careful management
      • Mining Wastes - Stored in tailings ponds, with potential risk of leakage or rupture

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Grade 10 - Chapter 2: Canada's Physical Base PDF

    Description

    Explore the unique physical geography of Canada, including its diverse landforms and climatic influences. Delve into the seven physiographic regions, such as the Canadian Shield and the Cordillera, and understand their geological characteristics and resources. This quiz provides insights into the interplay of natural processes that shape Canada's landscapes.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser