Download Constructive vs. Destructive Processes

Constructive vs. Destructive
Processes
EQ: WHAT ARE CONSTRUCTIVE AND
DESTRUCTIVE PROCESSES?
Constructive vs. Destructive
 Constructive forces affect
the earth's surface by
building it up while
forming new crust and
landforms like
mountains, islands,
deltas, and sand dunes.
 Destructive forces affect
the earth's surface by
breaking down
landforms to form new
ones through the
processes of weathering
and erosion.
Scientists believe
that the Earth’s
crust is broken into
large pieces called
plates. There are
two types of plates,
oceanic and
continental.
When the plates
interact with each
other, they change the
Earth’s surface.
Sometimes these
processes are
constructive, meaning
they build up areas of
the Earth. Other times
they are destructive, or
destroy areas of the
Earth.
When plates
collide, they can build
mountains. The Himalayan
Mountains and the Andes
Mountains are being formed
because of the collision of
plates. (See Before picture)
When plates
diverge, or move apart, they
can also construct new areas
of land. This is the way the
ocean ridges are built. On land,
the Great Rift Valley in Africa is
built this way.
Other constructive
processes include
volcanoes like those
creating the Hawaiian
Islands. Earthquakes
along fault lines can
also build areas of
Earth’s crust.
So with all this construction
of new areas, why isn’t the
Earth getting bigger and
bigger? Destructive
processes are constantly
wearing down Earth’s
surface. Weathering breaks
up the crust. Erosion carries
away the broken up parts.
Earthquakes and volcanoes
can also destroy areas of
the Earth.
I thought there was
an island here?
There is a constant
building up and breaking
down of Earth’s surface.
Some changes are
sudden. Some happen so
slowly that we hardly
notice them at all.
Whether slow or fast, the
surface of the Earth is
different today than it
was yesterday.