Physical Geography incorporates various fields like geology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, oceanography and so forth. Physical geographers use a variety of techniques to study Earth’s surface features including satellite images, aerial photography and remote sensing data.
Understanding landforms and their origin help in predicting natural disasters such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. This article will help you know every concept related to Sub branches of physical geography.
What Is Physical Geography?
Physical geography is the study of the physical aspects (such as landscape, climate, and natural resources) of the Earth’s surface.
Physical geography is a diverse field. It includes topics such as glaciology, climatology, pedology (soil science), hydrogeology (study of groundwater), meteorology (study of weather), oceanography (study of oceans and their lifeforms) and geomorphology (the study of Earth’s surface).
Geographers typically study landscapes and use geoscience to better understand different regions of Earth.
They may also focus on how people interact with different environments by studying topics like global warming, extreme weather events, or environmental degradation.
Sub Branches of Physical Geography
Examples of Physical Geography: The study of physical geography is broken down into several sub-disciplines which are typically studied separately. We can subdivide Physical Geography into the below categories:
#1. Hydrology & Hydrography
Hydrology is the study of water in the natural environment and hydrography is the description of bodies of water, their extent, positions, drainage areas, and their physical characters. This includes features such as depth, currents, wave height and direction.
#2. Oceanography
Oceanography is a study of the oceans, their physical properties, and the organisms that live in them.
Oceanography is a study that deals with the different aspects of the ocean. It is a subdivision of physical geography, which is a study that deals with landforms and their interaction with the atmosphere and living organisms.
Oceanography researches natural phenomena in oceans, as well as ocean currents, water mass movements, and sea-level changes.
#3. Coastal Geography
Coastal geography is the study of territorial waters, seacoasts, and coastal regions.
Coastal geography is a sub-discipline of physical geography that studies natural and human aspects of the Earth’s coastline.
It includes the interaction between waves, tides, currents, seabed topography and any man-made structures in coastal zones.
#4. Glaciology
Glaciology is the study of glaciers and their perennial features, processes, and effects.
Glaciers are a natural phenomenon that exists in polar regions. Glaciers can be classified as either alpine or continental glaciers. Glaciers are found all over the world but they exist in different types depending on where they are.
Glaciology is increasingly important in understanding changes in global climate as well as the long-term stability of ice masses.
#5. Environmental Management
Environmental management is a field of study that deals with protecting and sustaining the environment for future generations.
It has to do with three major topics: natural resources, human interaction, and sustainability.
The study of the environment is a broad subject area that includes not just natural sciences but also geography, economics and sociology.
The goal of this subject is to understand the environmental changes that are happening around us and how these changes affect various aspects of our life.
#6. Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of plants and animals across the Earth’s surface. It is a type of biogeology that can be used to determine the past geographic distribution of organisms as well as predict where particular organisms might live in the future.
Biogeography does not only account for plant and animal species but also for their genetic information.
For example, it may be able to establish how different populations of an organism are related and which ones came from where.
Some biogeographers use mathematical models to study how species spread over time, while others use molecular data like DNA sequences to try to identify areas where new species will emerge in the future.
#7. Climatology & Meteorology
Climatology is the study of weather and climate. Climatologists need to be able to study trends and patterns in weather and climate change.
Climatology and Meteorology are two fields in Physical Geography that study the climate and weather patterns of a location.
Climatologists focus on understanding the climate over long periods of time, whereas meteorologists focus on more current weather patterns.
#8. Geodesy
Geodesy is the measurement and representation of the Earth’s physical surface or any other planet. Geodesy can be used to describe any form of ground movement (e.g., uplift or subsidence), and is often used in engineering.
In practice, this primarily includes surveying and mapping the terrestrial surface using geometrical techniques.
#9. Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the study of the landforms on Earth and their origin, development, and distribution in time.
Landforms are often classified according to whether they are terrestrial (e.g., mountains) or marine (e.g., coral reefs).
#10. Landscape Ecology
The field of Landscape Ecology in Physical Geography is a relatively new field, but it has been rapidly growing in recent years.
The primary focus of landscape ecology is on the spatial organization that occurs as a result of interactions between different groups of plants and animals.
Landscape ecology also looks at how human activities affect these interactions.
#11. Palaeogeography
Palaeogeography is the study of the earth’s geological history in order to understand its present-day features. It is a subfield of geology and geomorphology.
Palaeogeography in Physical Geography is a process that helps better understand how paleoclimates influenced what humans see today.
It helps us find out where we can find geological evidence of ancient climate shifts.
#12. Pedology
Pedology is the study of soils. It is a branch of geology and environmental science. Pedologists study the origin, mineralogy, physical properties, morphology, and distribution of soils.
#13. Quaternary Science
Quaternary science is the study of the physical and biological history of the Quaternary Period, also known as the “Ice Age.”
The Quaternary Period is defined by glaciation on Earth. The glaciers were so extensive in some regions that they formed ice sheets deep enough to cover modern-day cities.
There are many ways to study this period, including examining fossils, rock strata, and various theories about Earth’s climate dynamics.
Why Physical Geography Is Important?
Physical geography is important because it is often a major factor in determining the life-supporting potential of a region.
Physical geography is the study of how forces like elevation, slope, latitude and longitude affect the earth’s surface and influence human activities.
Conclusion: Sub Branches of Physical Geography
Physical geography is the study of physical features, phenomena, and processes of Earth as well as their interaction with each other. It includes topics such as the soil, climate, vegetation, animal life, water bodies on Earth and its atmosphere.