Exploring Earth’s Surface

1. Exploring Earth’s Surface EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

2. Topography – shape of the land Determined by an area’s Elevation - height above sea level of a point on Earth’s surface Relief – difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area Landforms – feature of topography formed by the processes that shape the Earth’s surface. All landforms have elevation and relief Landform region- large area of land where the topography is similar EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

3. Types of Landforms There are three main types of landforms • Plains • Mountains • Plateaus EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

4. Plains A landform made of flat or gently rolling land with low relief Two types of plains Coastal plain Interior plain EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

5. Coastal plain – plain that lies along the seacoast, low elevation and low relief i.e. area of land that wraps along the eastern and southeastern shores of the USA EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

6. Interior plain – a plain that lies away from the coast. Elevation can vary, but relief is low i.e. Great Plains EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

7. Mountains A landform with high elevation and high relief Mountain Range – a group of mountains that are closely related in shape, structure and age EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

8. Plateaus Landform with high elevation and more or less level surface (low or no relief) The Piedmont region of North Carolina (where we live) is a plateau EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

9. Earth’s Four Spheres • Lithosphere • Atmosphere • Hydrosphere • Biosphere EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

10. EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? Lithosphere • Earth’s solid rocky outer layer. Makes up the earth’s crust and uppermost mantle • Made of continents, islands, and ocean floor • Surface varies from smooth plains to jagged mountain peaks G1-1

11. EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? Atmosphere • Outermost sphere • A mixture of gases that surround a planet • Earth’s atmosphere mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen • Also contains water vapor , carbon dioxide and other gases G1-1

12. Hydrosphere • All the water on Earth including oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice • Most of our water is ocean EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

13. Biosphere • The sphere or area around the planet Earth where life exists. Most life forms live on, or near the surface of Earth. • Some live deep within the hydrosphere • Others thrive in the depths of the lithosphere (solid portion of Earth). EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1

14. Class Work and Homework • Fill In What did I learn Confused Say • Read pages G14 – G18. Answer questions 1-5 with complete sentences. EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G1-1