Battle for Posession of Earth’s Surface

What dominates?

Relief building: diastrophism & volcanism

vs

Degradation: weathering & erosion

Battle Lines

Battle Lines

Geology provides the “kinetic energy”

Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to

place by degradation

Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to

place by degradation

Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to

place by degradation

Now - we focus on what interests geographer’s more: how Earth’s landforms differ from place to

place by degradation

Equation is key to sustainability of where you live

• If relief building is winning (diastrophism > degradation), you are in danger!

• If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.

If relief building is winning (diastrophism > degradation),

you are in danger!

Sign of danger: Soft rock is lifted high (and then landslides)

If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.

Sign of safety: mountains eroded

If degradation is winning (degradation > diastrophism), safe place to live.

Sign of safety: hard rocks eroded to flat pediment

Answer this question• Why are meteor impacts common on Mars

and not on Earth?

• Even this small crater can be seen billions of years after it formed

Why are meteor impacts common on Mars and not on Earth?

Meteor Crater, AZ 50,000 years ago

Monturaquisole Impact Crater, Atacama

Even in dry deserts, rims erode and depression fills in

Summary: view as a battle or working

together?