Revision Essentials of Physical Geography for an eighth edition involved considering the thoughtful input from many reviewers with varied opinions. Several reviewers recommended a reduction in the number of chapters and a few organizational changes. As authors we seek to expand or include coverage on physical geographic topics that will spark student interest. Recent natural disasters such as the extraordinary 2005 hurricane season, particularly Hurricane Katrina, and the tragic South Asia tsunami merited inclusion in this new edition.
These events are addressed as examples of Earth processes and human environmental in teractions. In addition, we thoroughly revised the text; prepared new graphs, maps, and diagrams; integrated approximately 200 new photographs; and updated information on numerous worldwide environmental events. What follows is a brief review of major changes made to this eighth edition.
1. Physical Geography: Earth Environments and Systems
2. Representations of Earth
3. Earth in Space and Solar Energy
4. The Atmosphere, Temperature, and the Heat Budget
5. Atmospheric Pressure, Winds, and Circulation Patterns
6. Moisture, Condensation and Precipitation
7. Air Masses and Weather Systems
8. Global Climates and Climate Change
9. Low-Latitude and Arid Climate Regions
10. Middle-Latitude, Polar, and Highland Climate Regions
, etc.