Download Exploring Earth`s Surface EQ: How do I describe the topography and

Exploring Earth’s Surface
EQ: How do I describe the
topography and spheres that make
up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1
Topography – shape of the land
Determined by an area’s
Elevation - height above sea level (ocean)
Relief – difference in elevation between the highest
and lowest point of land
Landforms – feature of topography formed by the
processes that shape the Earth’s surface.
Landform region- large area of land where the
topography is similar
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up
G1-1 surface?
the Earth’s
Types of Landforms
3 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
Plains
Flat or gently rolling land with low
relief
2 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
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
G1-1
EQ: How do I describe the
topography and spheres that
make up the Earth’s surface?
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
G1-1
make up the Earth’s surface?
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
Plateaus
Landform with high elevation and more or less
level surface.
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
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
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
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s
surface?
Atmosphere
Outermost sphere
A mixture of gases
 Mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen
Also contains water vapor , carbon dioxide and
other gases
G1-1
Hydrosphere
• All the water on Earth including oceans, lakes,
rivers, and ice
• Most of our water is ocean(SALTY!)
EQ: How do I describe
the topography and
spheres that make up
the Earth’s surface?
G1-1
• Area around the planet
Earth where life exists.
Most life forms live on
the surface of Earth.
• Some live deep within
the hydrosphere.
G1-1
Biosphere
EQ: How do I describe
the topography and
spheres that make up
the Earth’s surface?
Class Work and Homework
EQ: How do I describe
the topography and
spheres that make up
the Earth’s surface?
• Copy questions 1-5 for your homework,G-18.
Read pages G14 – G18 to answer questions OR
use your notes!!!
G1-1