SS2 First Term- Geography

  • ACTION OF RUNNING WATER
  • ACTION OF WIND
  • ACTION OF GLACIERS (I)
  • ACTION OF GLACIERS (II)
  • ACTION OF WAVES
  • CLIMATE
  • TYPES OF CLIMATE
  • ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Action of running water

Geography, SS 2, Week 1.

Topic: Action of running water

Content

  1. Factors affecting the velocity of rivers
  2. Process of river erosion
  3. Processes of River Transportation
  4. Importance of rivers to man

Running water is one of the most important agents of denudation. Rivers involve erosion, transportation and deposition of minerals.

Factors affecting the Velocity of a River

  1. The higher the volume of water released by a river, the higher the velocity, however as the volume decreases during dry period, the velocity also decreases
  2. The steeper the slope, he higher the velocity of water in the river
  3. A river uses more energy to flow through a flat – wide valley than through a narrow – deep valley because the former has a large surface area
  4. The greater the speed of river, the greater the materials or loads it can carry or move

Processes of River Erosion

The erosive work of a river consists of four interacting processes which are:

  • Hydraulic action process is the fast flowing water forces itself into cracks and cavities within the valley under pressure and enlarges the crack
  • Corrosion is the wearing away of the sides and floor of the river valley with the aid of sand, pebbles, silts and boulders which are being transported. These materials eventually widen and deepen the river valley
  • Attrition is the wearing down of the load as they collide with one another and with the floor and sides of the valley. Large boulders are broken down into small pieces like pebbles
  • Solution refers to the chemical action of water on materials it comes in contact with while flowing, rock salts are dissolved and carried away in solution

Processes of River transportation

The load of a river is carried or transported along four main processes, these are:

  1. Solution: Some rock materials dissolve in water and there are carried in a solution from the upper to lower course of river
  2. Suspension: The lighter particles of solid materials are carried in suspension as th water flows
  3. Saltation: In this process, larger particles are moved in series of hops or jumps along he stream bed
  4. Traction: In this process, very large fragments of materials are rolled or pushed along in the river

Delta

Delta is a fan shaped alluvial plain formed as a result of deposition of the fine materials by a river as it reaches or enters the sea or ocean.

Importance of Delta to man

  • Delta provides good agricultural land especially for cultivation of rice, oil palms and raffia palm e.g River Niger
  • Delta is also good for fishing
  • Delta is equally good for petroleum mining

Types of Delta

  • Arcuate delta: These consist of both coarse and fine sediments and have the shape of an inverted cone. It is crossed by many distributors. Example is found in Niger
  • Bird’s foot delta: This delta consists of very fine materials called silt with several main distributaries like the foot of a bird extending into a sea. Example is the Mississipi delta
  • Estuarine delta: This delta is formed when it is partially submerge in coastal waters and there is a direct flow of water into the sea with little or no sediments. Example is Amazon

Importance of Rivers to man

  1. Rivers serve as a medium transportation from one place to another
  2. River also help in the generation of Hydro electric power
  3. Rivers provide water for animal use
  4. Rivers aid in the promotion of sport
  5. Rivers provide employment (fishing) to many people

Exercise

  1. List the stages which involve in the process of transportation
  2. Rivers involve _____, ______ and _______
  3. What are the importance of delta to man?

Exercise

Action of Wind

Geography, SS 2, Week 2

Topic: Action of Wind

Content:

  1. Action of wind in desert
  2. Characteristics of desert
  3. Action of wind erosion
  4. Features of wind erosion in the desert

The action of wind is dominant in desert and other semi arid regions of the world. Desert which are associated with aridity (dryness) are caused by low rainfall, high temperature, cold current and high evaporation rate.

Characteristics of desert

  1. Deserts do experience extreme high temperature during the day and extreme low temperature at night
  2. Deserts do experience low rainfall due to cold currents blowing them
  3. Deserts do lack dense vegetation cover in deserts because of low rainfall
  4. Deserts do experience high evaporation temperature due to he fact that there is high rate of temperature
  5. Deserts do experience cold currents.

Action of Wind Erosion

Wind erosion is carried out in the following ways:

  1. Deflation: This is the lifting and blowing away of loose sand and pebbles by wind. Deflation results in the lowering of the land surface to form large depression called deflation hallows
  2. Abrasion: This is the process whereby sand particles carried by wind are used to blast or wear away rock surfaces as in rock pedestal, zeugen and yandang
  3. Attrition: This is the process whereby wind borne particles collide with one another, resulting in the wearing away of each other. This result in reduced and rounded sizes of the particles.

ASSESSMENT

  1. The action of wind is dominant in/on the
    (a) air
    (b) forest
    (c) ocean
    (d) desert
  2. Aridity in deserts are caused by the following except
    (a) low rainfall
    (b) low humidity
    (c) high temperature
    (d) cold current
  3. Which of these statements is true
    (a) deserts experience high temperature during the day and low temperature at night
    (b) deserts experience low temperature during the day and high temperature at night
    (c) deserts experience high temperature during the day and high temperature at night
    (d) deserts experience low temperature during the day and low temperature at night
  4. _____ is the lifting and blowing away of loose sand and pebbles by wind
    (a) attrition
    (b) deflation
    (c) inflation
    (d) abrasion
  5. The process whereby wind borne particles collide with one another is
    (a) attrition
    (b) deflation
    (c) inflation
    (d) abrasion

ANSWERS

  1. d
  2. b
  3. a
  4. d
  5. a

Action of Glaciers (I)

Geography, SS 2, Week 3

Topic: Action of Glaciers

Content:

  1. Action of Glacier erosion
  2. Features of Glacier erosion in the Highland

Action of Glacier Erosion

The action of glacier as an important agent of erosion, transportation and deposition of materials that is  confined on mountaineous and temperate regions of the world.

The action of glacier is carried out in the following ways:

  • Sapping: It is the breaking up of rocks of alternate freezing and thawing of water at the bottom of cracks between a mass of ice and ides and floor of a valley or the sides of a mountain
  • Plucking: It is the tearing away of blocks of rocks which have become frozen on the sides or bottom of a glacier
  • Abrasion: is the wearing away of rocks beneath a glacier by the scouring action of the rocks embedded in the glacier

Features of Glacier Erosion in the Highland Areas:

Striations: are scratches or marks left on rock over which glacier passes. Rock fragments or mountain embedded in the glacier affect the striation of rocks

Corries or Cirque: is a deep and rounded hollow or depression with steep sides, formed through erosion by ice. They are arm – chair shaped hollows, resulting from plucking of rock materials down the slope. After the ice has moved, it later forms corrie lake

Arete: occur when two corries cut back opposite side of the same mountain. Resulting in a knife edge ridge called arête. Arête is therefore a wall ridge like structure separating two corries

Pyramidal peak: occurs where three or more corrie cut back on the same mountain. A pinnacle shaped like like pyramid, develops and is called pyramidal peak

Bergshrund: is formed at or near head of glacier. It is a deep and vertical crack separating the lower part of a glacier that has started to move down its valley and the upper part which is static.

U- Shaped Valley or Trough: is a wide flat floor with very steep side which has been eroded by glacier. All the sides and floor including all debris are washed away by glacier. This results in the formation of a U- shaped valley which forms the main valley

Hanging Valley: results when glacier action from tributaries eroded materials into the main or U shaped Valley.

Rock Basin and Rock Step: when two tributaries join a main valley, the additional weight of ice in the main valley cuts deeper into the valley floor at the point of convergence, thus forming a rock step. It can also be formed due to the difficulties in resistance to frost action. Rock basin is formed when glacier erodes and excavates the valley floor so deep to form rock basin

Moraines: are made up of rocks that are shattered by frost action, embedded in the glacier and brought down the valley. Moraines exist in laternal, medial ground and in terminal forms

ASSESSMENT

  1. The breaking up of rocks of alternate freezing and thawing of water at the bottom of cracks between a mass of ice and floor of a valley is
    (a) erosion
    (b) abrasion
    (c) sapping
    (d) plucking
  2. _____ is the tearing away of blocks of rocks which have become frozen on the sides or bottom of a glacier
    (a) erosion
    (b) abrasion
    (c) sapping
    (d) plucking
  3. _____ occurs when two corries cut back opposite side of the same mountain
    (a) cirque
    (b) bergshrund
    (c) striations
    (d) arete
  4. _____ results when glacier action from tributaries eroded materials into the main or U shaped Valley
    (a) cirque
    (b) hanging valley
    (c) striations
    (d) arete
  5. The wearing away of rocks beneath a glacier by the scouring action of the rocks embedded in the glacier
    (a) erosion
    (b) abrasion
    (c) sapping
    (d) plucking

ANSWERS

  1. c
  2. d
  3. d
  4. b
  5. b

Action of Glaciers (II)

Geography, SS 2, Week 4

Topic: Action of Glaciers (II) 

Content:

  1. Glacier Erosion in Lowland
  2. Features of Glacier Erosion in Lowland

Glacier Erosion in Lowland

Roche Moutonnee: are resistant residual rock structure. The surface is striated by ice movement. Its upstream side is smooth due to abrasion while down stream is rough due to plucking. The surface is also rough

Crag and Tail: is a mass of hard rock which slopes on the upstream side that protects the softer leeward slope from erosion and later develop to form the tail

Features of Glacier Deposition in lowland

  1. Boulder Clay: is the ground moraine of the glacier. It generally consist of stones of various sizes and shape in mass of sand and clay
  2. Erratic: are transported rock fragments which are composed of materials entirely different from the bedrock or rock fragments of region in which they are deposited. They are deposited when the ice carrying them melts into water
  3. Drumlins: are swarms of oval, elongated whale back hummocks composed mainly of boulder clay with their elongation in the direction of the ice flow. The shape of drumlins are better described as baskets of eggs
  4. Eskers: are long, narrow and winding ridges of sand and gravel deposited by melt water streams. They are porous and numerous.
  5. Terminal moraines: they are made up of boulders which are deposited at the edge of the ice sheet. They are usually form a large debris deposited at the edge of the ice sheet
  6. Outwash plain: refers to the large area beyond the terminal moraines in sand and gravel, washed down the mountainous zone and deposited in an extensive area. This wide area of sand and gravel is called the outwash plain

ASSESSMENT

  1. The features of a Roche mountonnee include all these except
    (a) resistant residual rock structure
    (b) smooth surface
    (c) surface is striated by ice movement
    (d) Its upstream side is smooth due to abrasion
  2. The large area beyond the terminal moraines in sand and gravel, washed down the mountainous zone and deposited in an extensive area is known as
    (a) outwash plain
    (b) drumlins
    (c) eskers
    (d) boulder clay
  3. ______ are long, narrow and winding ridges of sand and gravel deposited by melt water streams
    (a) outwash plain
    (b) drumlins
    (c) eskers
    (d) boulder clay
  4. ______ are made up of boulders which are deposited at the edge of the ice sheet
    (a) outwash plain
    (b) drumlins
    (c) eskers
    (d) boulder clay
  5. ______ is a mass of hard rock which slopes on the upstream side that protects the softer leeward slope from erosion
    (a) roche mountanne
    (b) crag and tall
    (c) eskers
    (d) boulder clay

ANSWERS

  1. b
  2. a
  3. c
  4. d
  5. b

Action of Waves

Geography, SS 2, Week 5

Topic: Action of waves

Content

  1. Meaning of Wave
  2. Process of wave erosion
  3. Features produced by wave erosion
  4. Features of wave deposition

Meaning of Wave

A wave is an oscillation of water particles. It is the most potent agent of marine erosion. Their actions are confined to coasts of oceans and seas.

Process of wave erosion

  1. Corrosion: This occurs when the mass of fragments carried by wave action erodes the foot of cliffs.
  2. Attrition: These occurs when the friction between materials transportation by waves wear down themselves to fine pieces of fragments
  3. Solution: This happens when rock like limestone and chalk dissolve in water

Features produced by wind erosion

  1. Cape and Bay: These are features of marines erosion in coastlines. Cape is the hard rock while Bay is the oft rock. A cape is a prominent projection or cliff protruding into the sea. A Bay is wide opening carrying part of the sea into the land.
  2. Cliff and Wave – Cut: A cliff is a rock found along the sea cost where the land rises steeply, while a wave-cut is a base of a cliff left as the cliff reaches landwards under the impact of the wave.
  3. Coastal Cave: A cave is a hole produced in the regions of local weakness at the base of a cliff. The pressure in the cave increases due to air compression resulting in an expansion hollow with step sides.

Other erosional features of waves are arch, stack and stump.

Features of wave deposition

  1. Beaches: They are made up of sand and gravel deposited by wave action. These deposit of sand and gravels are called beaches
  2. Spits: A spit is a long narrow accumulation of sand and shingle with one end landwards and the other seawards across the estuary. They are characterized by long narrow ridges e.g Senegal
  3. A Bar: It is a deposited of mud, sand and shingle at the offshore parallel to the coast. Example is Fete near Senegal Baraku
  4. Marine Dune and Belts: They are dunes or sand dune belts resulting from the force of offshore winds which deposited them towards the land.

ASSESSMENT

  1.  A wave can be defined as
    (a) moving about of water particles
    (b) an oscillation of water particles
    (c) movement of water particles from one location to the other
    (d) the drying up of water particles
  2. ______ occurs when the mass of fragments carried by wave action erodes the foot of cliffs
    (a) solution
    (b) erosion
    (c) attrition
    (d) corrosion
  3. ____ is a hole produced in the regions of local weakness at the base of a cliff
    (a) crag
    (b) cave
    (c) beach
    (d) bay
  4. A long narrow accumulation of sand and shingle with one end landwards and the other seawards across the estuary is known as
    (a) bar
    (b) beach
    (c) spit
    (d) bay
  5. ____ is a deposited of mud, sand and shingle at the offshore parallel to the coast
    (a) bar
    (b) beach
    (c) spit
    (d) bay

ANSWERS

  1. b
  2. d
  3. b
  4. c
  5. a

Climate

Geography, SS 2, Week 6

Topic: Climate

Content:

  1. Meaning of climate
  2. Factors affecting climate
  3. Importance of climate

Meaning of Climate

Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period of time of about 30years. Climate varies from place to place

Factors affecting Climate

Climate is influenced by the following.

Factors: Latitude, Planetary Winds and Pressure, Belts, Distance from sea, Altitude and Relief, Ocean Current

  • Latitude: The sun’s elevation is high at the equator. Regions here, called the tropics, are hotter than those within the temperature latitudes. Thus, changes in latitude brings about seasonal temperature changes
  • Planetary Wind and Pressure Belts: The planetary wind system ensures the movement of winds from the high pressure around the N&S poles of equator to the low pressure belts around the equator. Planetary wind movement determines precipitation, humidity and changes in temperature.
  • Distance from the Sea: Land surface warmed up cools down more quickly than the sea. In temperate region the sea warms land close to it (costal areas) in winter and cools such land in summer
  • Altitude and Relief: Mountains and highlands have cold climate. Also, high relief determines relief rainfall
  • Ocean Current: Ocean current change the effect of winds blowing over them. A cold current causes the wind to be cool and dry. While a warm current causes the wind to be warm and laden with moisture

Importance of Climate

  1. The knowledge of climate helps farmers to plan their planting operations and other activities
  2. Transportation use the knowledge of climate to plan movement
  3. Knowledge of climate informs dress code

ASSESSMENT

  1. The average weather condition of a place over a long period of time of about 30years is known as
    (a) atmosphere
    (b) climate
    (c) weather
    (d) latitude

  2. One of these does not influence climate
    (a) belts
    (b) buckles
    (c) distance from sea
    (d) altitude
  3. _______  movement determines precipitation, humidity and changes in temperature
    (a) planetary wind
    (b) latitude
    (c) altitude
    (d) ocean current
  4. Mountains and highlands have ___ climate
    (a) hot
    (b) cold
    (c) dry
    (d) wet

  5. One of these is not the use of climate
    (a) helps farmers to plan their planting operations and other activities
    (b) it is used to plan movement
    (c) it informs the use of dress code
    (d) it keeps people from crime

ANSWERS

  1. b
  2. b
  3. a
  4. b
  5. d

Types of Climate

Geography, SS 2, Week 7

Topic: Types of Climate

Content:

  1. Types of Climate

Types of Climate are:

Cold climate

This is divided into the polar climate and the Arctic or Tundra climate

Polar climate is located around lat 900N and S of the equator. It covers areas like Greenland and Iceland. Temperature is below 00c. Strong winds and low rainfall (10-15cm). Sparse population

Tundra climate is located around the arctic and antarctic circles (lat 600 and 900N and South of the equaor). Covers countries like Canada, Norway, Alaska and part of Eurasia. Characterized by low temperature , inequalities of length of day and night; prolonged winter, as such, no true tree; shorter summer encourages growth of low shrub; precipitation is during autumn and winter periods; orens, sheeps, bears, foxes and wolves are in place.Cool temperate West margin 40c – 170c temperature range; 600 – 800 min annual rainfall; deciduous trees; coniferous forest; foxes and squirrels are prevalent.

Cool climate

Regions with mid – latitude cyclones within lat 450 and 600N and S of equator. There are three types which are:

Cool temperate East margin: Areas bordering the Atlantic ocean found between lat 400 – 500N and S of the equator covers places like N –E of North America and Argentina; rainfall is 700- 1,600mm: has coniferous forest and land; cultivation of cereals crop like rice, maize oats barleys.

Cool temperate continental: located 400 and 450 N and S of equator. Covers place like east central Europe; South Canada and North America high temperature (160c) and at times falls below 00c rainfall is 508mm; temperate grassland called prairies in Canada, steppers in Eurasia, Pampas in Argentina, Veld in South Africa and Downs in Australia scarcity of trees because scarcity of rainfall, long drought and severe winter; nomadic farming prevalent.

Warm climate

There are two types of warm climate which are:

Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean type): 300 and 450N and S of equator. Covers South Europe (France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, North Africa (Morocco, Libya, Tunisia), South America (Central Chile), California in USA and South West of South Africa.

Characteristics

It is characterized by a dry and hot summer with temperature range of between 210c – 270c; high temperature throughout the year; rainfall is 600 – 840mm. Drought- resistant plants grow; presence of small shrubs patches like acacia, Rosemary and Laurel which are grown; Orchard farming with wide range of citrus fruits are grown

Warm Temperate Eastern Margin (china type or gulf climate): found between lat 200 and 400N and S of the equator in places like South East Australia, Central part of South America, Central China, South Japan, New Zealand and South East US.

Characteristics

It is characterized by a warm moist summer and cool dry winter. 40c – 260c of temperature; moderate rainfall between 635mm and 1,524mm, evergreen and deciduous forest because of continuous rainfall all year round; cultivation of maize, cotton, sugar, rice and sugar- are extensively carried out.

Equatorial climate with in Lat 50N and S of equator.

Places that come under the equatorial region are: Congo Basin of Central Africa, Amazon Basin of South America, South East Asia and the Central Area of West Africa; Temperature range is 200c – 260c(high); conventional rainfall and thunderstorms an lightening; maximum temperature are in March and September when the sun is overhead the equator; tropical rainforest and equatorial trees; presence of rivers; presence of economic trees such as iroko, Sapele, Ebony, African walnut etc and plantation agriculture such as rubber, cocoa, oil palms etc. The pignies live here around Congo Basin and Red Indians of the Amazon Basin

Desert Climate

Desert climate are of two types; they are Cold desert climate and hot desert climate:

Hot Climate: They are classified into two; which are: (i) Equatorial climate with in Lat 50N and S of equator. Places that come under the equatorial region are: Congo Basin of Central Africa, Amazon Basin of South America, South East asia and the Central Area of West Africa; Temperature range is 200c – 260c(high); conventional rainfall and thunderstorms an lightening; maximum temperature are in March and September when the sun is overhead the equator; tropical rainforest and equatorial trees; presence of rivers; presence of economic trees such as iroko, Sapele, Ebony, African walnut etc and plantation agriculture such as rubber, cocoa, oil palms etc. The pigmies live here around Congo Basin and Red Indians of the Amazon Basin

ASSESSMENT

  1. Arctic climate is also known as
    (a) tundra climate
    (b) polar climate
    (c) desert climate
    (d) temperate climate
  2. The kind of climate that covers areas like Greenland and Iceland is
    (a) tundra climate
    (b) polar climate
    (c) desert climate
    (d) temperate climate
  3. The type of climatic condition experienced in the Central Area of West Africa is
    (a) tundra climate
    (b) polar climate
    (c) desert climate
    (d) hot climate
  4. The pigmies live around
    (a) Congo Basin
    (b) Amazon River Basin
    (c) Niger River Basin
    (d) Mississippi River Basin
  5. Warm Temperate Western Margin (Mediterranean type) climate is experienced in these countries except
    (a) France
    (b) Libya
    (c) Nigeria
    (d) Spain

ANSWERS

  1.  a
  2. b
  3. d
  4. a
  5. c

Environmental Resources

Geography, SS2, Week 8

Topic: Environmental Resources

Content

  1. Meaning of Environmental Resources
  2. Major form of Environmental
  3. Some importance of environmental

Meaning of Environmental Resources

Environmental Resources are those organic and inorganic natural materials which are of great value to man, animals and plants

Major forms of environmental Resources

  1. Atmosphere resources: They are those resources in the atmosphere example solar energy, wind, gases, rain water etc

Importance of atmosphere resources

Gases: this include oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapour

  • Oxygen is used by plants and animals for respiration. It also supports burning of materials. Oxygen supports human life and also combines with water (oxidation) for chemical weathering and is also used for industrial purposes
  • Carbon dioxide is required by plant for photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide combines with water to produce chemical weathering(carbonation). Green plants also take in carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat to control atmospheric temperature in the carbon cycle
  • Nitrogen is required by plants for the manufacture of proteins. It combines with water to provide food for plant growth. Nitrogen in soil can be converted to nitrate in the soil. Nitrogen gas is used in electrical industry
  • Water vapour is important for rain formation. The resultant of rain is used by plants and animals in the process of chemical weathering. Water vapour moderates atmospheric temperature

2. Mineral resources: They are mineral content in rock (ores). Examples are gold, silver, gems, metals, petroleum, coal etc

Importance of mineral resources

  • It serves as source of fuel
  • it is used for construction purposes
  • It is used for industrial purposes
  • it is used as a source of foreign exchange
  • it serves as a provision of employment
  • It serves as the provision of raw materials for industries

Water resources: These are resources which contained in natural water bodies example aquatic life like fish, water, minerals like potash and petroleum

  • Vegetation resources: These are resources from the forest example timber, cash crop, tourism etc
  • Human resources: These are resources which have to do with human intelligence. Human coordinate other resources for productivity

Some importance of Environmental resources to man

  1. Mineral resources provide raw materials for industries
  2. Human resources is the basis for labour supply
  3. Atmospheric resources helps in the supply of solar energy
  4. Water resources also provide hydro electric power
  5. Vegetative resources provide food for man

ASSESSMENT

  1. Environmental Resources are of great value to all the following except
    (a) man
    (b) animals
    (c) plants
    (d) non living things
  2. Atmosphere resources include the following except
    (a) wind
    (b) gold
    (c) gases
    (d) rain water
  3. Carbon dioxide is required by plant for
    (a) photokynetics
    (b) photography
    (c) photosynthesis
    (d) photology
  4. Which of these is not an importance of mineral resources?
    (a) source of fuel
    (b) used for construction purposes
    (c) It is used for respiration
    (d) it is used for industrial purposes
  5. Vegetation resourves provide man with the following except
    (a) timber
    (b) cash crop
    (c) fish
    (d) tourism

ANSWERS

  1. d
  2. b
  3. c
  4. c
  5. c

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