The geographical phenomena are those drastic and observable changes that take place in nature. They can occur abruptly and are capable of transforming the environment, in such a way that, after these phenomena occur, a new reality arises..
Geographic phenomena are complemented by geographic facts, which refer to elements that are stable and whose variations are perceived over longer periods..
So, in nature you start from a geographical fact. Then a phenomenon is usually generated that generates an abrupt variation in the environment, and the new reality that is generated later becomes a new geographical fact..
Geographical phenomena can be classified according to the elements from which they are produced. This classification includes three types: physical, biological and human..
Physical geographical phenomena refer to those that are generated without involving any living organism. These drastic changes are normally produced as a consequence of climatic, physical or chemical elements, among others, generated naturally.
Within the physical geographical changes can be found hurricanes, cyclones, torrential rains and earthquakes, among others. The physical geographical changes that are generated are capable of transforming the landscape and generating a new reality.
Some examples of physical geographic changes can be:
A river can overflow as a consequence of different natural causes. Some of the possible causes may be the following:
When a river overflows, it can create lasting changes in the landscape. The river may expand its channel permanently, flood the surrounding plant species, and if there are human communities nearby, it may obliterate houses, buildings, roads and other constructions..
The eruption of a volcano is generated by the movement of tectonic plates, or by the accumulation of pressure of magma (molten rock that exists in the depths).
In either case, the eruption of a volcano is considered a physical geographical phenomenon because it occurs without the intervention of living individuals..
When a volcano erupts, it can have definitive consequences on its environment, including:
Biological geographical phenomena are those that are generated by living beings, excluding humans.
Within this classification are the geographical variations produced by plants, animals, insects and microorganisms.
Some examples of biological geographic changes can be:
The appearance of pests can destroy large areas of flora. Pests can appear, for example, as a consequence of an imbalance in the fauna; if there are no natural predators, a species can become a pest.
Pests especially affect plants located in soils with few nutrients, and can result in the deforestation of entire regions and completely altering the environment..
Pests can also greatly reduce the number of animal organisms in an area..
It is possible for a species to disappear due to natural causes, without human intervention. For example as a consequence of physical phenomena, such as droughts, fires or floods, among others.
The extinction of a species can permanently alter the entire ecosystem of which it is a part. Nature's cycles can vary, as can the structure of food chains.
These phenomena are among the most obvious and, in many cases, invasive that can be found on the planet. Human geographical phenomena are caused exclusively by the action of man in their environment.
Like physical and biological phenomena, human geographic phenomena alter the environment in a lasting way. As a result of these transformations, positive consequences can be generated and, in many cases, also negative.
Some examples of human geographic phenomena:
As a result of the need to expand their communication channels, human beings have transformed their environment. This has involved the construction of roads and paths that openly intervene in the environment..
The construction of this type of structure has been beneficial for the development of the human race, allowing to expand the interaction between men and generate a more effective communication.
However, in some cases the intervention has been detrimental to nature, because some ecosystems have been affected..
As a consequence of this type of construction, entire species of flora and fauna may disappear, or diversions of water courses may be generated, among other manifestations..
Hydraulic dams are structures, made with walls and containment elements, whose main function is to store or divert water from a river to fulfill different purposes..
The functions of a water dam include regulating the water supply in a particular region, storing water for irrigation or energy production.
When building a dam, the human being intervenes to a great extent in nature. These constructions generate positive consequences for human life, such as the production of renewable energy, the control of floods in certain areas and the fact of facilitating access to water for human consumption..
On the other hand, dam construction is considered a geographical phenomenon because it permanently transforms the environment:
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