THE PHYSICAL REGIONS OF WESTERN CANADA

-Igneous -Sedimentary -Metamorphic

Types of Rock

Rock formed from the hardening of molten material (magma/lava)1. Intrusive-formed beneath the Earth’s surface (from

magma)2. Extrusive-formed above the Earth’s surface (from

lava)

Igneous Rock

Rock changed from its original form:1. Heat2. Pressure3. Erosion

Metamorphic Rock

Rock made of sediment deposited in layers which have formed together

Sedimentary Rocks

The Canadian Shield

Shield: large masses of hard rock that other areas of the continents have formed

largest and oldest region of Canada once as high as the Himalayas;

eroded down Mostly Igneous rock and

metamorphic rock Many minerals (copper, gold, lead

and nickel), not very suitable for agriculture.

The Interior Plains

The area between the Canadian Shield and the Rocky Mountains

Sedimentary rock made from eroded material from the Canadian Shield

Other layers were created from deposits of plants and animals Formed deposits of fossil fuels (oil and natural gas)

The Western MountainsThe Rockies

The Coastal Mountains

The Insular Mountains

Parallel mountain ranges separated by plateaus and valleys

The Rockies and the Coastal Mountains were formed by plate collision that caused the Earth to rise.

Plate tectonics also created valleys, plateaus, and trenches

River and glacial erosion sculpted the rough landscape

many minerals: copper, gold and coal

The Climates of Western Canada

Continental climate: the climate of a continent’s interiorTemperature extremesLow precipitation

Maritime climate: a coastal climateMild temperaturesHigh precipitation

Factors Affecting Temperature

1. Latitude: determines the amount and intensity of sunlight it receives.

North: sun rays hit the Earth at a lower angle

Length of days vary more from season to season

Higher temperatures in the south than in the north

2. Altitude The higher the altitude,

the colder the temperature

Every 150m rise in altitude = 1 degree drop in temperature

3. Distance from the Sea Land surface warms up and

cools down faster than the water surface

Large land masses has more extreme temperaturesHigh temperatures in the summer

Low temperatures in the winter

Areas near the water have more moderate temperatures

4. Wind Direction Winds blowing from the sea have a

moderating effect Winds blowing off the land bring with

them the extreme weather The West Coast of Canada is the only

area with temperatures above ‘0’ in the winter

5. Ocean Currents Ocean currents are warm or

cold depending where they come from

Currents warm or cool the air that passes over it

Warm air can hold more water than cold air

Precipitation The amount of precipitation in an area

depends on: its distance from the sea Prevailing winds

There are 3 types of precipitation:1. Orographic2. Convectional3. Frontal

Orographic Precipitation

Windward Side Moist air rises and moves up

the mountain As the air cools, the vapour

condenses, forming clouds and then rain falls

Leeward Side As the air descends on the

eastern side, it becomes warm and dry (the rainshadow)

The descending air warms and picks up moisture

Very common in the Western Mountains region

Convectional Precipitation Convectional

precipitation results from the heating of the earth's surface that causes air to rise rapidly. As the air rises, it cools and moisture condenses into clouds and precipitation.

Very common in the prairie provinces.

Frontal Precipitation Frontal precipitation

results when the leading edge( front) of  a warm air mass meets a cool air mass. The warmer air mass is forced up over the cool air. As it rises the warm air cools, moisture in the air condenses, clouds and precipitation result.

This precipitation is common in Atlantic Canada.