Earth Science: Plate Boundaries and Climate Factors

Tectonic Plate Boundaries

• Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates moving on the asthenosphere
• Three types of plate boundaries:
  • Divergent: Plates move apart, creating new crust (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
  • Convergent: Plates collide, causing subduction or mountain building (e.g., Himalayas, Cascadia)
  • Transform: Plates slide past each other horizontally, leading to earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault)

LOWERN (Climate Factors)

• LOWERN acronym describes climate influences:
  • Latitude: Affects temperature (farther from equator, colder)
  • Ocean currents: Modify coastal temperatures (warm/cold currents)
  • Winds and air masses: Influence temperature and precipitation
  • Elevation: Higher altitudes, cooler temperatures
  • Relief: Mountains affect air and moisture, creating dry/wet areas
  • Nearness to water: Moderates temperature (coastal areas, milder climates)

Maritime vs. Continental Climates

• Maritime: Ocean-influenced, moderate temperatures, high humidity (e.g., Vancouver)
• Continental: Far from oceans, extreme temperature variations (e.g., Winnipeg)

Climate Change

• Long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, driven by human activity
• Burning fossil fuels increase greenhouse gases, leading to global warming, extreme weather, and rising sea levels

Landform Regions of Canada

• Canadian Shield: Ancient, eroded mountains, rich minerals
• Interior Plains: Flat, fertile land, ideal for agriculture
• Appalachians: Older, eroded mountain range
• Rocky Mountains: High, rugged mountains, influencing weather
• Coastal Regions: Shaped by ocean currents and tides

Glaciation

• Periods when large ice sheets covered Earth
• Glaciers shaped Canadian landscape (valleys, fjords, Great Lakes)
• Wisconsin Glaciation significantly impacted modern topography

Weathering

• Process breaking down rocks (physical, chemical, biological)
  • Physical: Freeze-thaw cycles
  • Chemical: Acid rain dissolving rocks
  • Biological: Plant roots breaking rock

Patterns and Trends

• Recurring characteristics or behaviors (e.g., population growth, climate change)
• Important for understanding socio-economic needs of regions

Interrelationships

• Connections between human activity, environment, and other factors
• Example: Deforestation affects climate change and biodiversity

Spatial Significance

• Understanding why events/activities are located where they are
• Geography influences location patterns (e.g., cities near water for trade)

Location Factors

• Reasons for industry/settlement location
  • Proximity to resources (e.g., forests, minerals)
  • Transportation access (e.g., ports, roads)
  • Climate
  • Labor availability
  • Markets for products

Levels of Industries

• Primary: Extracting raw materials (e.g., farming, mining)
• Secondary: Manufacturing and processing (e.g., factories, construction)
• Tertiary: Services (e.g., healthcare, education)
• Quaternary: Information-based services (e.g., research, technology)

Global Population Trends

• Growth, urbanization, and demographic shifts (affect resources, economies, societies)

Population Density and Distribution

• Density: People per unit area
• Distribution: How people are spread across a region
• Canada: Concentrated in southern regions due to climate and resources

Canada’s Population Distribution

• Concentrated along southern border (temperate climate, resources, jobs)
• Northern parts have lower population densities (colder, less accessible)

Demographic Statistics and the Demographic Transition Model

• Track population characteristics (birth/death rates, age distribution)
• Demographic Transition Model: Explains population transitions as societies develop

Push/Pull Factors

• Push: Conditions driving people away (e.g., lack of jobs, war)
• Pull: Conditions attracting people (e.g., job opportunities)

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy Sources

• Renewable: Replenished naturally (e.g., solar, wind)
• Non-renewable: Finite (e.g., coal, oil) contribute to environmental issues

Liveability

• Quality of life in a place (affordable housing, healthcare, education, safety, green spaces, employment)

Environmental Racism

• Marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards (e.g., pollution, poor waste management)

Human Activities Impacting Climate in Canada

• Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial practices contribute to climate change in Canada. This leads to more extreme weather, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.

Physical Environment Influencing Industry Location in Canada

• Industries locate near resources (mining, forestry, agriculture) or transportation (ports, major networks).

Formation of Canada’s Landform Regions

• Landforms shaped by geological processes (Precambrian Era – Canadian Shield, Paleozoic & Mesozoic Eras – mountains, last ice age – lakes and valleys)

Issue Related to Natural Resource Development in Canada

• Environmental impact of extraction (mining, oil sands) harming ecosystems, climate, and local communities.

Canada’s Use of Natural Resources Affecting the World

• Global implications of resource extraction (oil, timber, minerals) affects emissions and deforestation, impacting the environment globally.

Benefits of Indigenous Land Protectors and Activists

• Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity by advocating for sustainable land practices and opposing harmful projects (pipelines). Protecting water sources, wildlife, and forests benefits both local and global communities.

Trend in Canadian Population

• Aging population (baby boomers aging, declining birth rates) poses challenges with healthcare, pensions, and a smaller workforce.

Connection Between Livability and Urban Gardens

• Urban gardens improve air quality, provide fresh produce, reduce heat island effects, and offer community spaces. They enhance sustainability by encouraging local food production and reducing transportation.

Making Toronto a More Sustainable City

• Expanding public transportation reduces car usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and includes building transit lines, improving accessibility, and encouraging cycling/walking.

Defining Liveability

• Overall quality of life, considering access to essential services, environmental quality, affordability, safety, and social opportunities.