the west the geography. a vast region largest region in the u.s 11 states this region also includes...
TRANSCRIPT
The WEST
The Geography
A vast region• Largest region in the U.S• 11 States• This region also includes Hawaii and Alaska-
our largest state
Vast Region• Vast-meaning different landforms• Snow capped mountains to fiery volcanoes• Deserts to thick forests
Plants and animals• Because of the vast region-many types of
plants and animals• Bears, eagles, blue columbine, frangipani
Mountains• The rocky mountains-young mountains that stretch more
than 3, 000 miles• Formed from huge plates, that floated and bumped into
each other and slid upward• The Rockies get lots of snow!• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJk9cFz152s
Rivers
• As the snow from the Rockies melts, it flows into the Rio Grande, the Missouri River and the Colorado River
The Great Salt Lake
• Rivers and stream flow into this lake• Brings freshwater and salt• This lake is getting smaller because of
evaporation• Saltier than the ocean-too salty for fish
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxL_0VfUPQA
A region in motion• Earthquakes-ground trembles• During an earthquake-the plates bump each
other and push together-common on the west coast because plates are close together!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zNyVPsj8zc
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0AEtX-uPLA
Volcanoes• Magma-melted rock pushes through the
earth’s plates• When the magma reaches the surface-its
called lava
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2V2kAGp91I
Hot Spots
• Some volcanoes form from hot spots or places where magma reaches the earths surface but doesn’t break through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeaQbqcZNMw
Geyser• Pressure from the steam under the water
builds up and shoots hot water or steam into the air-OLD FAITHFUL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gyhvqbIaOE
Climate in the west
• The elevation affects the climate-higher up you go the colder it gets
• Timberlines-tree lines
Alaska and Hawaii climate• It is far away from the equator• Has cool summers and very cold winters• Hawaii is closer to the equator• Warm, tropical climate
Precipitation
• Very wet area around Washington -160 inches of rain every year