Clouds

On a recent trip to Southern Spain, I observed some of the most wonderful and interesting cloud formations I have ever seen - this left me and my inquisitive mind to wonder, how do these fantastic silhouettes form in the skies above?

 

Defined as "a visible mass of condensed water vapour floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground", terrestrial clouds often form from water vapour in the air due to evaporation or transpiration of water, wind convergence over water (or moist ground) into areas of upward motion, precipitation and also when cool or dry air moves over warmer water which will become more humid. As the air rises from the surface of the earth towards space, the warm air begins to cool which reduces the capacity of the air to hold the water vapour so some of the vapour condenses onto very small particles of dust that are floating in the atmosphere and form a tiny droplet around each dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together and agglutinate, they become a visible cloud.

 

Clouds are often classified into 3 groups according to their height in the sky. Clouds above 18,000 feet are known as 'Cirrus' clouds (high clouds). Clouds that form between 6,500 feet and 18,000 feet are known as 'Alto' clouds (middle clouds). Finally, low clouds that form below 6,500 feet are known as 'Stratus' clouds. These variations can often prove helpful in predicting future weather conditions and the type of clouds that form have, for centuries, been used by farmers and agricultural workers to predict tomorrow's weather patterns.

 

Now, there is much more detail and information on clouds and their formation on the web and it is well documented in books - I have merely scratched the surface on the science and geography of clouds but I hope I have provided you with a simple insight on clouds and their formation.

Image from http://www.flightlearnings.com/2011/10/30/methods-by-which-air-reaches-the-saturation-point-part-three-clouds/

Sources;

1.      Steve Horstmeyer (2008). "Why don't clouds fall?". Graz University of Technology. Retrieved 2012-04-06. 

2.      David R. Dowling and Lawrence F. Radke (1990). "A Summary of the Physical Properties of Cirrus Clouds". Journal of Applied Meteorology 29 (9): 970–978 (977).

3.      Glossary of Meteorology (June 2000). "Adiabatic Process". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 2008-12-27.

Geomorphology

What is geomorphology? In this post I aim to explore and explain what exactly geomorphology is and the way in which it links into the discipline of geography as a whole. 

Geomorphology refers to the study of the  Earth's surface and the processes in which it is shaped, both in the present and in the past. Geomorphology has many sub-topics that refer to specific locations or areas of similar geomorphology. For instance, geomorphology in arid environments such as near the Tropics (of Capricorn and Cancer). The underlying features of all the sub-topics is that they contain similar core principles, which are most likely to be climatic or tectonic processes. 

Geomorphology is studied under a number of different titles- most notably Physical Geography, but it can also be practised under the larger topics of archaeology or geology. The wide base of interest results in varying research methods, as well as different conclusions from the results of data collection.

They often aim to predict future changes in the Earth's surface through a number of methods including field observations, physical experiments and numerical observations. The latter known as Geomorphometry. 

Such processes that may be included within the Geomorphology field include eolian processes such as wind erosion or fluvial erosion such as corrosion. 

We should end with the name of a notable geomorphologist, William Morris Davis, who has been dubbed 'the father of American Geography' and he paid important attention to geomorphology as a key aspect to his research of Physical Geography. Thus proving the importance of this sub-field to the discipline as a whole. 

References: 

'International Conference Of Geomorphology', Europa Organisation. 

Tinkler, Heith J. A short history of geomorphology. Page 4. 1985