Sunday 7 July 2013

W - list of geographical terms and definitions

W
Wadi: A wadi is the Arabic term for a valley or stream bed in northern Africa and the Middle East. It remains dry all year round, except during the rainy season.
Walker Cell: The Walker circulation is also known as the Walker cell. It is a conceptual model of the air flow in the tropics in the troposphere. Parcels of air follow a closed circulation in zonal and vertical directions, according to this theory.
Warm front The forward edge of an advancing warm air mass that is rising over cooler air in its path.
Warm front: Warm front is referred to the front of a mass of warm air.
Warm sector The zone of warm air within a depression.
Water balance: Water balance refers to the ratio between the water assimilated in the body and water lost from the body.
Water Management: Water management is the activity that consists of planning, development, distribution and optimum use of water resources under defined water polices and regulations.
Water Table: In geography, the term water table means a planar underground surface beneath which, earth materials such as soil or rock are saturated with water. At this level, the ground water pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.
Water table: The level below the land surface at which the subsurface material is fully saturated with water. The depth of the water table reflects the minimum level to which wells must be drilled for water extraction.
Water vapour Water substance in vapour (gaseous) form; one of the most important of all constituents of the atmosphere.
Waterfalls: form where the river meets a band of softer rock after flowing over an area of more resistant material. Waterfalls progressively cut back, leaving a gorge.
Waterlogged: Waterlogged is a phenomenon where an object is so filled or flooded with water that it seems to be heavy or unmanageable.
Watershed: The term watershed refers to the ridge or crest line dividing two drainage areas.
Watershed: the highland separating one river basin from another.
Wave Attack Zone: the area between low and high tide where wave erosion is most effective.
Wave Cut Platform: a gently sloping, rocky platform found at the foot of an eroding cliff and exposed at low tide.
Wave Erosion: the power of the wave is generated by the fetch. Waves erode cliffs by abrasion/corrasion and hydraulic pressure.
Wave Pounding: Wave pounding is the 'sledge hammer' effect that is caused by tons of water crashing against cliffs. It is responsible for shaking and weakening the rocks, leaving them open to attack from hydraulic action and abrasion. Eroded material, mostly, gets carried away by the waves.
Wave: The term wave can be explained as a disturbance on the surface of a liquid body, such as a sea or a lake. This disturbance is ordinarily in the form of a moving ridge or swell.
Wave-cut Notch: A wave-cut notch or platform or shore platform is the narrow flat area that is often seen at the base of a sea cliff. It can also be seen along a large lake shore caused by the action of waves.
Wave-Cut Platform: A wave cut platform is the same as a wave cut notch.
Waves: caused by the transfer of energy from the wind blowing over the surface of the sea. The largest waves are formed when winds are very strong, blow for lengthy periods and cross large expanses of water. See Fetch and Prevailing Wind.
Weather The state of the atmosphere, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities. As distinguished from climate, weather consists of the short-term (minutes to about 15 days) variations of the atmosphere state.
Weather: In simple words, weather refers to the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.
Weather: The condition of the atmosphere at a certain place and at a certain time.
Weathering the break-down or decomposition of rock by biological, physical or chemical processes.
Weathering the break-down or decomposition of rock by biological, physical or chemical processes.
Weathering: In geographical terms, weathering refers to the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose.
Weathering: the break-down of rock by physical or chemical processes.
Well: As opposed to literature, in geography, the term well refers to a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine and sulfur.
Wet Lands: land only suitable for grazing of animals, but very valuable for wildlife, especially birds. These are under pressure from farmers who want to drain the land to make it suitable for more profitable arable farming.
Wet Point Site: a settlement location where the main advantage is a water supply in an otherwise dry area e.g. at a spring where an impermeable clay valley meets the foot of permeable limestone or chalk hills.
Wetland: A wetland is a lowland area, such as a marsh or a swamp, that is saturated with moisture. It is mostly regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife.
Wetted Perimeter: In geography, a wetted perimeter is the perimeter of the cross sectional of the area that is "wet."
Wholesaling: the sale of goods to retailers; wholesalers are not open to the general public.
Wilderness: Wilderness refers to a wild and uncultivated region, such as a forest or a desert. It is uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals. It could also mean a tract of wasteland.
Wildlife Habitats: The homes of plant and animals.
Wilting Point: Much like boiling point and evaporation point, wilting point (WP) is defined as the minimal point of soil moisture required by the plant to avoid its wilting. In case the moisture decreases to this point or any lower, a plant wilts and can no longer recover its turgidity when placed in a saturated atmosphere for 12 hours.
Wind Erosion: In geography, wind erosion refers to erosion of material caused by the action and chemical reaction of wind.
Wind power: Wind power refers to the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as electricity, using wind turbines.
Wind movement of air caused by changes in temperature and air pressure. Winds are always identified by the compass direction from which they blow.
Wind: Wind, in geography, refers to air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
Windward: In simple words, the term windward refers to 'towards the wind'. More so it directs toward the point from which the wind blows.
Windward: The side of a land mass facing the direction from which the wind is blowing—the opposite of leeward.
Wine Lake: surplus wine in the EU as a result of over-production.
Work: employment at a job or occupation; either formal or informal.
Working Population: people in employment who have to support the dependent population.