Content

Physical Geography of Southeast and East Asia

Physical Features of Southeast Asia and East Asia

Physical Features of Southeast Asia and East Asia

Southeast Asia and East Asia are geographic regions located on the Asian continent. This region spans a large part of the mainland and thousands of islands off the coast. In this interactivity, you will learn about the physical features of Southeast and East Asia. As you explore, consider how the physical geography influences the climate, as well as human settlement. Click the player to begin.

View a printable version of this interactivity or an ADA compliant transcript.

Climate Regions

Climate Regions of Southeast and East Asia: Detailed Description

There are many different low and middle latitude climate regions in Southeast and East Asia. Southeast Asia is located along the equator. Because of this, it has a mostly tropical climate. Tropical wet climate regions can be found on most of the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia. This type is climate is also found along the coasts of Mainland Southeast Asia. The climate shifts to tropical wet and dry farther inland.

East Asia contains mostly middle latitude climate regions. Humid subtropical and humid continental climates span much of the region near the coast. The humid subtropical climate starts near the coast of the South China Sea. It shifts to a humid continental climate farther north, near the coast of the Yellow Sea. These two climate regions are also found in Taiwan and Japan.

Semiarid steppe on the Plateau of Tibet

The Himalayas and the Plateau of Tibet both have highland climates. This climate type can vary based on the altitude. For instance, the foothills may have a temperate climate with dense forest, while the peak is covered with snow and ice. The climate north of the Tibetan Plateau is arid and semiarid. This is because the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau create a large rain shadow. Air cools and loses moisture as it blows up the mountains. When the air finally crosses the plateau, it is very cold and dry.

Tsunamis

Warning sign that reads: tsunami hazard zone, in case of earthquake, go to high ground or inland

Flooding is a serious concern in Southeast and East Asia. The Yellow River (Huang He) contains loose sediment called loess. The sediment can build up over time, creating a natural dam. When the sediment shifts, the natural dam breaks and releases a large amount of water that floods the banks of the river. Typhoons bring strong winds and heavy rain that can flood waterways. A typhoon is similar to a hurricane, only it occurs in the western Pacific Ocean. Tsunamis are potentially more destructive, as they occur rapidly and cause tremendous damage.

Ring of Fire: Detailed Description

Tsunamis occur when there is a volcanic eruption or earthquake along an underwater plate boundary. When the Earth shifts suddenly on the ocean floor, a massive amount of water can be displaced. The sudden displacement creates a large tidal wave. These waves can travel hundreds of miles per hour without any warning. Most tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean. This is because 90% of all earthquakes and volcanic activity occurs along the boundary of the Pacific plate. This is why the Pacific plate boundary is often called the “Ring of Fire.” It impacts the eastern coast of Asia as well as the western coast of the Americas.

On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced an underwater earthquake along the Ring of Fire. The earthquake registered 9.0 on the Richter scale, making it one of the five most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. The resulting tsunami was 130 feet high and caused a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima power plant. In 2018, a tsunami in Indonesia occurred when part of the Anak Krakatau volcano fell into the ocean. Since the tsunami occurred because of an underwater landslide instead of an earthquake, there were no warning signs. This caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and the loss of homes, shops, and vessels.

Take a moment to view the video, Scary Tsunamis , from eMediaVASM. You will learn more about the effects tsunamis can have on a region, as well as what experts do to prepare for them.

Physical Geography of Southeast and East Asia Review

Physical Geography of Southeast and East Asia Review

Now that you have learned about the major physical regions, landforms, and water features of Southeast and East Asia, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.