EARTH’S LANDFORMSEARTH’S LANDFORMS

CHAPTER 1CHAPTER 1

LESSON 1LESSON 1

LANDFORMSLANDFORMS

Landforms are the shape of a part of Landforms are the shape of a part of Earth’s surface.Earth’s surface.

Examples of landforms:Examples of landforms: PlainsPlains MountainsMountains HillsHills

PLATE TECTONICSPLATE TECTONICS

This is the theory that Earth’s surface This is the theory that Earth’s surface is divided into several major, slow-is divided into several major, slow-moving plates or piecesmoving plates or pieces

When the plates push together, their When the plates push together, their edges may fold creating mountains.edges may fold creating mountains.

CONTINENTAL DRIFTCONTINENTAL DRIFT

This is the movement of the This is the movement of the continental plates.continental plates.

Scientists believe that Earth’s Scientists believe that Earth’s landmasses were once a landmasses were once a supercontinent known as Pangaea.supercontinent known as Pangaea.

FAULTFAULT

A break in the Earth’s crust where A break in the Earth’s crust where movement occursmovement occurs

Earthquakes are most commonly Earthquakes are most commonly found along faults.found along faults.

MAGMAMAGMA

Melted rock within the EarthMelted rock within the Earth

LAVALAVA

Magma that has broken through Magma that has broken through Earth’s crust and is on the surfaceEarth’s crust and is on the surface

WEATHERINGWEATHERING

The process of breaking rocks into The process of breaking rocks into smaller pieces through heat, water, smaller pieces through heat, water, or other meansor other means

There are many different types of There are many different types of weathering such as wind, water, and weathering such as wind, water, and ice.ice.

EROSIONEROSION

The natural process of moving The natural process of moving sedimentsediment

It shapes the Earth’s surface.It shapes the Earth’s surface.

DEPOSITIONDEPOSITION

The process of dropping, or The process of dropping, or depositing, sediment in a new depositing, sediment in a new locationlocation

FLOODPLAINFLOODPLAIN

A landform of level ground made up A landform of level ground made up of sediment deposited by a river or of sediment deposited by a river or streamstream

DELTADELTA

A triangle-shaped piece of land built A triangle-shaped piece of land built from soil deposited at the mouth of a from soil deposited at the mouth of a riverriver

How do people change the land?How do people change the land?

By building farmsBy building farms By building citiesBy building cities By planting cropsBy planting crops By reshaping waters and creating By reshaping waters and creating

new onesnew ones By draining water from wetlands to By draining water from wetlands to

create dry land for cities and farmscreate dry land for cities and farms