Physical geography

Physical geography, also called physiography, is a major branch of natural science.

It focuses on the processes and patterns found in the natural environment. Scientists study several connected systems to understand our world. These include the atmosphere, which is the air around us. They also study the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the geosphere. This branch is distinct from human geography, which studies the built environment. It is also different from technical geography, which focuses on tools for spatial information. However, these different branches often overlap in their research.

One major field is geomorphology. This is the study of the Earth's surface and how it is shaped. Geomorphologists look at how landforms changed in the past and how they change today. They use field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modeling. This modeling is often called geomorphometry. Geomorphology includes sub-fields like desert geomorphology or fluvial geomorphology. These focus on specific environments but share core tectonic or climatic processes. This work also provides a foundation for pedology, the study of soil.

Water is another vital part of physical geography. Hydrology focuses on the amount and quality of water on land. It examines water in rivers, lakes, aquifers, and even glaciers. This field often uses the hydrological cycle to explain how water moves. Hydrology has strong links to engineering and uses quantitative methods. It also includes sub-fields like limnology and ecohydrology.

Glaciology is another specialized area. It is the study of the cryosphere, which includes all ice phenomena. Glaciologists study both continental ice sheets and alpine glaciers.

Life and climate are also key areas of study. Biogeography examines the patterns of where species live and why. This field grew from the work of Alfred Russel Wallace. It is influenced by theories like evolution and plate tectonics. Biogeography includes sub-fields like zoogeography and phytogeography. Climatology is the study of climate, which is weather averaged over long periods. Climatologists look at both local microclimates and global macroclimates. They also study how humans and nature influence these patterns.

The study of the Earth's surface also involves soil and oceans. Soil geography looks at how soil is spread across different terrains. Pedology is the specific study of soils in their natural environments. It looks at soil morphology and how soil is classified. Oceanography is the branch that studies the Earth's oceans and seas. It is a diverse field that blends many different disciplines. Oceanographers study marine organisms, ocean currents, and the geology of the sea floor. They may specialize in biological, physical, geological, or chemical oceanography.

History shows how these sciences have evolved over time. In the Ancient Age, thinkers like Strabo and Eratosthenes studied locations. In the nineteenth century, Alexander von Humboldt viewed geography as a natural science. A major shift occurred during the European colonial expansion. This led to the creation of university departments and national geographical societies. In the mid-1750s, Mikhail Lomonosov conducted research in Arctic Siberia. He studied the organic origin of soil and the movement of ice. His work helped found the branch of glaciology.

Modern geography uses advanced tools and connections. Geomatics is the field of gathering and processing geographic information. It includes cartography and remote sensing, which uses devices to collect data from a distance. Environmental geography bridges the gap between human and physical geography. It analyzes how humans and the natural world interact. Finally, scientists share their findings through professional journals. These include publications like Nature and The Professional Geographer. By studying these many parts, we gain a complete view of our planet.