physiography

A word of rather variable meaning, but, as most generally used, nearly or quite the equivalent of physical geography (which see, under physical). Also called geophysics.

[For the use of the word physiography by Huxley, as meaning a peculiar kind of physical geography, see the following quotation.

The science which treats of the earth’s exterior physical features, climate, life, etc., and of the physical movements or changes on the earth’s surface, as the currents of the atmosphere and ocean, the secular variations in heat, moisture, magnetism, etc.; physical geography.

The descriptive part of a natural science as distinguished from the explanatory or theoretic part.

The subfield of geography that studies physical patterns and processes of the Earth. It aims to understand the forces that produce and change rocks, oceans, weather, and global flora and fauna patterns.

the study of physical features of the earth’s surface