Transcript Ch.1 ppt.
The Far Corner: Washington’s Geography and Geology Essential Question How does Washington’s geography and geology affect the way we live? The Northwest Corner Washington’s location: • In the Northwest corner of the United States • Between the 46th and 49th parallels north latitude • Between 117 degrees and 125 degrees west longitude Washington’s Boundaries: • Canada makes the north political boundary • The Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca make natural western boundaries • The Columbia River makes most of the natural southern boundary • A political boundary separates Washington from Idaho on the eastern side Eastern Border Washington’s Coast Spatial Patterns • Coastlines, rivers, deserts, and mountains affect where people live and work. • Humans have had an impact on the land over the years. – Loggers cut down too many trees – Hunters shot too many wild animals – Fishermen caught too many salmon – People changed the land to meet their needs • Today, people and companies act more responsibly to take care of the land. The Columbia River • The Columbia River is one of Washington’s most famous physical characteristics. • Indian tribes and early fur trappers used the river for transportation and a source of food. • The river became the source of a thriving salmon industry. • The source of the river is at Columbia Lake, high in British Columbia, Canada. • The Columbia has many tributaries and flows into the Pacific Ocean. • The Columbia is the most powerful river in North America in terms of hydroelectric energy. mouth of the Columbia Columbia Lake Grand Coulee Dam The Pacific Coast • Washington has 157 miles of ocean coastline. • The Strait of Juan de Fuca has over 3,000 miles of coastline. • Washington has deep-water harbors that link it to the rest of the world. • The Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound are the sources of the state’s fishing industry. Puget Sound Area • Salmon, oysters, crabs, shrimp, halibut, flounder, tuna, and cod are caught in Washington’s waters. • Winds from the ocean give Washington a mild climate. What Region is Washington Part of? • Regions are places that share common features. • Washington is part of the Pacific Northwest region. – A region of states that share common physical, political, and economic features • Washington is part of the Pacific Rim region. – A region of all the countries that border the Pacific Ocean Washington’s Five Regions • Each region has at least one main physical feature but may contain more. • The Coastal Range – Narrow region along the Pacific Ocean with rainforests, mountains, and other forests The Puget Sound Lowlands • Plains and valleys around the Puget Sound with fertile land and access to rivers and seaports The Cascade Range – Includes the Cascade Mountain range with its high volcanic peaks and many glaciers The Columbia Plateau – A high, flat plateau on the east side of the Cascades with dry land and natural vegetation The Rocky Mountain Region – Steep hills that are foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the northern corner of the state A Jigsaw Puzzle • Scientists believe Washington is made of many small continents. • Millions of years ago, they came together because of the earth’s shifting plates. • Tectonic forces uplifted, tilted, and folded the earth’s crust to create mountains. • Tectonic forces left fault lines that shift and cause earthquakes every few years. • Mountains were also formed by volcanic action. • The Cascade and Olympic Mountains are part of a great Ring of Fire. Volcanoes Shaped the Columbia Plateau • Lava covered the Columbia Plateau. • Volcanic ash and dust covered parts of the Plateau and created rich soil. • Today, this is the Palouse wheat-growing region in eastern Washington. The Lessons of Mt. St. Helens • Mt. St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. • The eruption was equal to 21,000 atomic bombs. • The destruction was great and 57 people lost their lives. • Some people ignored warning signs and stayed near the mountain. • The mountain will erupt again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njV9ski1gB4 Ice Age Washington • About 1 million to 10,000 years ago, an ice age covered much of Washington with snow and ice. • Glaciers grew and shrank as the temperature changed. • Moving glaciers shaped the Puget Sound Lowlands. • Ice dams blocked rivers and formed prehistoric lakes. • Water broke through dams, causing immense floods. • Every 50 years or so for 2,000 years, floods occurred. • Grand Coulee was created during the ice age by ice and floodwater. Fossils are Clues to the Past • Fossils of plant and animal life tell us about the region in which they were found. • Shells and bones from ancient sea life tell us that oceans once covered our land. • Plant fossils in central Washington indicate that a large tropical rainforest once flourished there. • Coal was formed by the combination of prehistoric plants, heat, and pressure over millions of years. • Deposits of coal and other fossils that can be burned are considered fossil fuels. • Environmentalists warn that greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels.