Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire

The Grand Canyon

Fertile river valleys

A sandy beach

Tectonic forces—Ring of Fire

River erosion—Grand Canyon

Soil building—Grand Canyon

River erosion—Ring of Fire

Fertile river valleys

The Ring of Fire

The Grand Canyon

A volcanic mountain with no river valley

Solar radiation warms the atmosphere

Earth’s position as it rotates around the Sun

Earth’s rotational speed

The cycle of day and night

The Southern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, so sunlight is more direct and days are generally longer.

The Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, so sunlight spreads over a smaller area.

Earth is closer to the Sun in December, causing every location to have summer.

The Sun's rays stop spreading across Earth's surface during December.

Summer, because the hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun.

Winter, because the hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun.

Spring, because the Sun's rays are spread over a large area.

Autumn, because the days are shortest and the weather is coldest.

Earth is not tilted toward or away from the Sun as much during these transitions.

The Sun's rays are always most direct during spring and autumn.

The days are always longest during spring and autumn.

Earth stops orbiting the Sun during these seasons.

Winter, because it receives less direct sunlight

Summer, because it receives more direct sunlight

Spring, because the Earth stops tilting

Autumn, because the Sun is farther from Earth

The Northern Hemisphere receives more direct sunlight when tilted toward the Sun.

The weather can change during transitions between seasons.

Spring and autumn occur when the Earth is not tilted as much toward or away from the Sun.

The Northern Hemisphere has winter when it is tilted away from the Sun.

Push factor

Pull factor

Conflict factor

Reform factor