Download Physical and Ecological Processes

Physical and Ecological
Processes
SOL WG.2b
Plate Tectonics
The surface of the earth is constantly
changing due to plate tectonics and
erosion and weathering.
Volcanoes
Earthquakes and volcanoes can occur
anywhere on the surface of the earth,
including underwater, but they are more
common at plate boundaries.
Volcanoes
Sometimes volcanoes occur far from
plate boundaries. These areas are
called hot spots. A good example of a
hot spot is the formation of the
Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the
Pacific.
Volcanoes
There is an area around the Pacific
Ocean where many plates come
together known as The Ring of Fire.
This area has many active and dormant
volcanoes and volcanic eruptions are
frequent.
Volcanoes
Scientists cannot predict when
volcanoes will erupt.
People live near volcanoes because
volcanic ash is extremely fertile and
good for farming.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are more common at plate
boundaries.
The center of an earthquake on the surface
of the earth is called the epicenter.
A seismograph is a device that detects if an
earthquake has occurred.
The Richter Scale is a scale used for
measuring the intensity of an earthquake.
Tsunami
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by
earthquakes or volcanic explosions.
Tsunamis can be detected with an early
warning system but not all countries
have the money to install them.
An early warning system in the Pacific Ocean.
Tsunami
See a tsunami here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ygYqj4rVM
Erosion and Weathering
The surface of the earth is also being
formed by erosion and weathering.
Weathering breaks rocks into smaller
pieces.
Erosion moves pieces of rock or dirt.
Review: Earth Main Ideas
The earth is the only habitable planet in
the solar system.
The earth consists of a series of shells
that float on one another.
The theory of continental drift explains
the formation of the continents
Review : Bodies of water
Bodies of Water and Landforms main
ideas
Water covers three-fourths of the
earth’s surface and makes life possible.
The water on earth is continuously
circulated between the atmosphere, the
oceans, and the earth.
The ocean floor and the continents have
similar landforms.
Review: Earth’s Internal Forces
The earth’s crust consists of a number
of tectonic plates.
The movement of the tectonic plates
continually reshapes the surface of the
earth.
Movement of the plates produces
earthquakes and volcanoes.
Review: Forces Shaping the Earth
Weathering and erosion alter the
surface of the earth.
Water, wind, and glaciers cause erosion
that produces a variety of landforms.
Weathering and erosion help form soil.