Download Constructive and Destructive Processes

CONSTRUCTIVE AND
DESTRUCTIVE PROCESSES
THE EARTH’S CRUST IS BROKEN INTO
LARGE PIECES CALL PLATES
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PLATES,
OCEANIC AND CONTINENTAL
WHEN THESE PLATES INTERACT WITH EACH
OTHER, THEY CHANGE THE EARTH’S
SURFACE.
 Sometimes
these
processes are
constructive,
meaning they build
up areas of the
Earth.
 Mountains and
other land masses
are formed by
constructive
processes.
WHEN THESE PLATES INTERACT WITH EACH
OTHER, THEY CHANGE THE EARTH’S
SURFACE.
 Sometimes
these processes are
destructive, or destroy areas of the
Earth.
WHEN PLATES COLLIDE, THEY CAN
BUILD MOUNTAINS, LIKE THE
HIMALAYAS AND THE ANDES
MOUNTAINS
WHEN PLATES DIVERGE, OR MOVE APART,
THEY CONSTRUCT NEW AREAS OF LAND SUCH
AS OCEAN RIDGES AND RIFTS.
OTHER CONSTRUCTIVE PROCESSES ARE
VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES.
Volcanoes formed the
Hawaiian Islands
Earthquakes along fault
lines also build areas of
Earth’s crust
SO IF ALL THIS CONSTRUCTION IS GOING
ON, WHY ISN’T THE EARTH GETTING
BIGGER?

Destructive processes are constantly wearing
down Earth’s crust.

Weathering breaks up crust.

Erosion carries away the broken up parts.

Earthquakes and volcanoes also destroy areas of
the Earth.
THERE IS A CONSTANT BUILDING
UP AND BREAKING DOWN OF
EARTH’S SURFACE.
SOME HAPPEN SUDDENLY, AND SOME
SO SLOW WE DON’T NOTICE THEM AT
ALL!