Name: Date: Hour: Word Cards 1 geographic representation a description or portrayal of the Earth or parts of the Earth Example: A map is a representation of an actual location or place. 2 map a visual representation of an area Example: Maps are representations of places, but not the actual places themselves. 3 tsunami a series of ocean waves, caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity, or rarely by meteor impact. Example: In 2011 an earthquake off the coast of Japan caused a large tsunami that did much damage. 5 political map a thematic (special purpose) map that shows political boundaries Example: A physical map often shows the cities and towns in a region. 4 thematic maps (special purpose maps) a map made to reflect particular information about a geographic area Example: Thematic maps can portray physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural or other aspects of a place. 6 physical map a thematic (special purpose) map that shows the major physical features of a place Example: A physical map shows landforms and bodies of water.
7 relative location where a place is located in relation to other places 8 absolute location specific location of a place Example: The United States is located north of the country of Mexico. 9 equator the line of latitude that circles Earth halfway between the North and South Poles Example: The Equator marks 0 degrees latitude. 11 Prime Meridian the line of longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, England Example: The Prime Meridian marks 0 degrees longitude. 13 global grid an imaginary grid on the world created by the intersection of lines of latitude and lines of longitude Example: The global grid allows us to find the exact location of any point on Earth Example: We can find the absolute location of a place by using latitude and longitude lines on a globe. 10 lines of latitude imaginary lines that show distances north or south of the equator Example: Lines of latitude are also called parallels because they run east and west and are parallel to one another. 12 lines of longitude imaginary lines that show distances east or west of the prime meridian Example: Lines of longitude are called meridians and run from the North Pole to the South Pole. 14 cartographer a geographer who makes maps Example: Cartographers use today s technology to help them make maps. (SS060203)
15 distortion loss of accuracy 16 projection a way to map our round Earth on a flat surface Example: It is impossible to show the round Earth on a flat surface without some distortion. 17 region (SS060203) an area with at least one characteristic or feature that sets it apart from other areas Example: Dividing the Earth into regions often makes it easier to study the Earth. 19 continent a large unbroken land mass surrounded by water (SS060205) Example: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America are commonly considered to be the seven continents of the world. (SS060205) Example: The purpose of the Mercator projection was navigation. 18 hemisphere a region created when the Earth is divided in half (SS060203) Example: The Earth can be divided into the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere. It can also be divided into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. (SS060205) 20 floodplain flat land along a river that is prone to flooding Example: Floodplains often have flat, fertile land for farming. (SS060206)
21 typhoon a tropical cyclone that occurs in the western Pacific region and Indian Ocean Example: Typhoons can cause wind and water damage. (SS060206) 23 natural hazard when physical forces create an extreme event that is somewhat unpredictable and that may have a negative effect on people Example: Tornadoes and Volcanoes are natural hazards that can destroy a community. 25 mitigation to make something less harsh, severe, or violent (SS060207) 22 physical processes natural forces that can be explained scientifically and that produce change or development on Earth Example: Shifting of tectonic plates can cause earthquakes. (SS060207) 24 the four elements fire, earth, air, and water Example: Greek philosophers divided the forces of nature into four elements. 26 preparedness a state of full readiness, ready for action (SS060207) Example: Since we cannot prevent natural hazards, the most sensible strategy appears to be mitigation of their eventual effects. (SS060208) Example: There are a few concrete steps we can take together now to improve preparedness for an influenza pandemic. (SS060208)
28 risk factors a condition that influences the likelihood of an event Example: Living on a fault line is a risk factor for being involved in an earthquake. 30 coping managing external and internal demands that tax or exceed the resources of the person Example: People and communities have designed coping strategies in case of emergencies. 32 susceptibility lack of ability to resist some outside force Examples: California s strict building codes are designed to reduce the susceptibility to potential damage by earthquakes. 29 exposure The condition of not being protected Example: Exposure of more people to natural hazards makes it more likely that there will be natural disaster. 31 adapt to change so as to fit a new situation Example: People adapt to extreme weather by the types of clothes they wear and houses they construct. 33 vulnerability the extent to which a country, area, community or structure risks being damaged by a disaster. Example: The vulnerability of a place to a natural disaster depends on its risk factors, adaptive capacities and coping
27 building codes a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed structures Example: Building codes in California include provisions for potential earthquakes. (SS060208) 34 developing country a non-modernized and poor country that has created an industrial base Example: People in developing countries like Haiti and Afghanistan have a lower standard of living than people in the United States.