Exploring Earths Surface EQ How do I describe

Exploring Earth’s Surface EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G 1 -1

Topography – shape of the land Determined by an area’s Elevation - height above sea level of a point on Earth’s surface Relief – difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area Landforms – feature of topography formed by the processes that shape the Earth’s surface. All landforms have elevation and relief Landform region- large area of land where the topography is similar EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up G 1 -1 surface? the Earth’s

Types of Landforms There are three main types of landforms –Plains –Mountains EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres –Plateaus that make up the Earth’s surface? G 1 -1

Plains A landform made of flat or gently rolling land with low relief Two types of plains Coastal plain Interior plain EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G 1 -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 G 1 -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 G 1 -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? G 1 -1

Plateaus Landform with high elevation and more or less level surface (low or no relief) 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? G 1 -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? G 1 -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 G 1 -1

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? Atmosphere §Outermost sphere §A mixture of gases that surround a planet §Earth’s atmosphere mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen §Also contains water vapor , carbon dioxide and G 1 -1 other gases

Hydrosphere • All the water on Earth including oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice • Most of our water is ocean EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? G 1 -1

• The sphere or area around the planet Earth where life exists. Most life forms live on, or near the surface of Earth. • Some live deep within the hydrosphere • Others thrive in the depths of the lithosphere (solid portion of Earth). G 1 -1 Biosphere EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?

Class Work and Homework • Fill In What did I learn Confused Say EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface? • Read pages G 14 – G 18. Answer questions 1 -5 with complete sentences. G 1 -1