Download Earth Science NOTES: landform and mapping

Mapping
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Map – drawing of the Earth, or part of it, on a flat surface
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Globe –most accurate representation of the entire surface of the Earth. Why?
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Scale –compares distances on a map or globe to actual distance on Earth’s surface (Ex. 1
cm = 10 km on some maps)
Longitude
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Meridians
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lines that run between the North and South poles
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measures distances East and West
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each line measures 10 of longitude around the Earth
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Lines go from 00 to 1800 east or west
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Prime meridian – the meridian that runs through
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Greenwich, England 00
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Time zones – 24 hours = 1 full rotation of the Earth (3600).
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Rotates 150 each
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24 time zones of 150each , earth rotates from east to west (making the sun appear to rise in
the East)
International date linelocated along the 180th meridian. If you pass it going east, you subtract a day. If you pass it going
west, you add one day.
Latitude
Parallels – (AKA latitude) cross meridians at right angles. Lines go east to west, but measure
distances going north to south. Lines go from 0 to 900 north or south.
Equator – 00 latitude.
Topo Maps
Maps that show changes in elevation
of earth’s surface
i.e. mountains, rivers, forests, etc…
Contour lines –
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connects points of = elevation
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Never cross ones of different elevations
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Closely spaced lines= steep slope
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Far apart lines= gentle slope
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Loops form at hilltops or depressions
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Depression: lines inside are hachures
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Marsh:
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School:
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House:
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Contour interval: difference between consecutive contour lines
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Rivers/streams: V points upstream or to higher elevations
Landforms
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Islands: Small landmass completely surrounded by water
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Continents : Landmass that measures millions of square km and rises a considerable
distance above sea level
Topography
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Refers to the shape of the Earth’s surface
Landscape/Landforms
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Physical features of the Earth’s surface found in an area
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3 types
-mountains
-plains
-plateaus
Elevation
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Elevation
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Height above sea level
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Varies from place to place
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Difference in a regions elevation is called relief
Mountains
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Natural landforms that reach high elevations
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Have narrow summits (tops) and steep slopes (sides)
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High relief
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Height of mt. is its height above sea level
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Example: Pike’s Peak in CO rises 2700m above the surrounding land; 4301m above sea
level
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Some mts are young and some old, form from the folding and breaking of the Earth’s
surface or from hot magma that breaks through the Earth’s surface
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Individual mountains: usually formed from volcanic activity
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Mountain range: roughly parallel series of mts. that have the same general shape and
structure
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Mountain system: group of mt. ranges
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Mountain belt: most mt. ranges/systems are part of an even larger group of mts.
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2 major mt. belts in the world
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Circum-Pacific
–
Eurasian-Melanesian
Mountain Belt
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Plains
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Flat areas that do not rise far above sea level
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Low relief
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Difference between highest and lowest point may be less than 100m
2 types:
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Coastal plain: low, flat along a coast, lots of farming due to enriched soil
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Interior plain: low, flat areas found inland, higher above sea level (than coastal plain) EX:
Great Plains: good farming soil and for raising cattle and sheep
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Plateaus
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Broad flat areas that rise more than 600m above sea level
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Low relief
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Most located inland
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Many are dry- almost desert areas