Geography Dictionary (Firefly Pocket series) - Softcover

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Using this book

The Geography Dictionary contains more than 1,500 articles and over 130 illustrations covering a wide range of topics in all areas of physical, human, and environmental geography. The book has been designed to be easy to use by readers of all levels.

The order of articles is strictly alphabetical. Many of the articles in this dictionary have cross-references in bold type to support and provide useful related information about the subject. These cross references often follow "SEE ALSO" at the end of the article.

Where appropriate, alternative names and spellings for the terms are given at the end of the article, following "ALSO CALLED". Where an alternative name is in common use, there is an entry under that name that gives a cross reference to the article that contains the definition.

The illustrations have two purposes. Firstly, they support the articles, giving graphic representations and explanations of concepts. Secondly, they provide additional information, augmenting and expanding the content of the article.

SAMPLE ENTRIES FROM "A"

aa
The Hawaiian name for blocky lava, a type of lava flow which has solidified into a blocky mass, rather like cinders in appearance. Gases would have escaped from the molten lava in a fairly violent fashion, making the rock jagged and angular. Examples are found on Mauna Loa in the Hawaiian Islands, Mt. Etna in Sicily and Mt. Hekla in Iceland. SEE ALSO pahoehoe

ablation
1. Lose of ice in a glacier due to evaporation and melting. The process includes melting at the top of the ice because of sunshine, and around the edges of the ice because of rainwater or meltwater.
2. The loss of ice at the end of a glacier where an iceberg may break off.

ablation moraine
The rock debris left at the side of a glacier after ablation has occurred.

aborigines
The native inhabitants of any country, now normally used to refer to the original inhabitants of Australia only. Some Australian aborigines still live in very isolated parts of Northern Australia, but many now work on farms or live in towns. They formerly lived by hunting and gathering, using boomerangs to kill birds and animals, and were skillful at finding food in a very difficult environment.

abrasion
The wearing away of rocks by the action of wind, water or ice carrying particles of dust and sand; a mechanical process, which acts rather like sandpapering. Abrasion in rivers will erode the banks and may form potholes on the bed. Abrasion is most active where there is no vegetation to protect the rocks and soil, especially in deserts. Mushroom-shaped rocks have been formed by abrasion, and telegraph poles have been worn through by wind-blown sand. Abrasion is effective along coastlines, too, where it will wear away at cliffs as well as the shore. SEE ALSO wave-cut platform