Chapter 6: Views of EarthSection 1: Lanforms

Mr. MotukGeneral Science

Chapter 6 Section 1I. Views of EarthA. Landforms

1. A landform is a general feature of Earth’s surface. 2. 3 Basic Landforms

a. Plains: Large, relatively flat areas. b. Plateaus: Relatively flat, raised areas. c. Mountains: Elevated surface features.

Chapter 6 Section 1B. Plateaus

1. A plateau is a raised relatively flat area of land.

a. Composed of horizontal bedrock uplifted by natural forces.

b. Characterized by high, vertical cliff boarders.

c. Example: Colorado Plateau

i. Most famous is the Grand Canyon

Chapter 6 Section 1C. Plains

1. Plains are divided into two types. a. Coastal Plains:

i. Broad areas along the oceans shore ii. Sometimes called lowlands due to minimal

elevation. iii. Characterized by rolling hills, swamps, and

marshes. b. Interior Plains

i. Land locked, relatively flat, lowland areas. ii. With thick fertile soil, plains are ideal for farmingiii. Usually between mountains and ranges.

Chapter 6 Section 1D. Mountains

1. Mountains rise high above the surrounding land. 2. Mt. Everest is the highest mountain peak (in the

Himalayan Mountains), 8,800 meters above sea level. (29,029 ft)

3. Four main ways that mountains form:a. Foldingb. Upwarpingc. Fault Blockd. Volcanic Activity

Chapter 6 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

A. Folded Mountains1. Formed by extreme opposing horizontal pressure.

a. Like squeezing a pimple!!!2. Layers buckle and fold. 3. Example: Appalachian Mountains

a. Formed 300 to 250 million years ago. b. Oldest and longest mountain range in North America.c. Originally higher than the Rocky Mountains. d. Weathering and Erosion have reduced the height.e. Minersville: 1184 ft (yes we are in the Appalachian Mountain range!)

Chapter 6 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

A. Folded Mountains

Appalachian Mountains

Chapter 6 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

B. Up-warped Mountains1. Form by extreme upward forces. 2. Erode exposing igneous and metamorphic bedrock. 3. Characterized by sharp peaks and ridges. 4. Examples

a. Southern Rocky Mountainsb. Black Hills (South Dakota)c. Adirondack Mountains (New York)

Chapter 5 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

B. Upwarped Mountains

Chapter 5 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

C. Fault Block Mountains1. Tilted faults slide diagonally in opposing directions.

a. Fault: A fracture in the continuity of a rock formation caused by a shifting or dislodging of the earth's crust, in which adjacent surfaces are displaced relative to one another and parallel to the plane of fracture. Also called shift.

2. Characterized by jagged peaks.3. Examples

a. Grand Tetons (Wyoming)b. Sierra Nevada Mountains (California)

Chapter 5 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

C. Fault Block Mountains

Chapter 6 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

D. Volcanic Mountains1. Lava flows and produces a massive cone of igneous

rock. 2. Examples

a. Mount St. Helens (Washington State)b. Mauna Loa (Hawaii)

Chapter 6 Section 1II. Types of Mountains

E. United States Elevations1. Highest Continental U.S

a. Mount Whitney, California (14,494 ft)2. Highest U.S

a. Mt. McKinley, Alaska (20,320 ft)3. Lowest Elevations

a. Death Valley , California (282 ft below sea level)b. New Orleans, Louisiana (64 ft below sea level)

4. Highest Pennsylvania Point: Mt. Davis (3,213 ft)5. Lowest World Elevation: Dead Sea (1,349 ft below sea

level)