World Geography 3202 Unit 1 Land Water Forms

World Geography 3202 Unit #1 Land & Water Forms

Topography • Topography is a general term referring to the surface features of the earth like hills, mountains, valleys and other relief features. • Your book defines it as " the natural and human features of the earth's surface".

Hills vs. Mountains • Hills elevation < 300 -600 M • Mountains elevation > 300 -600 m • Books differ on the actual relief required to be a mountain.

Plains vs. Plateaus • Both are similar in that they are gently sloping or relatively broad flat regions of land. • Like hills and mountains, plains & plateaus differ based on elevation. • Plains occur at low elevations along coasts & central continent • Plateaus occur at high altitudes and are associated with mountains.

Land Form Patterns …. • Most mountains & high elevations are located on coasts of continents.

Patterns Of Mountains • Large Mountain Ranges along the West coast of North & South America.

The Andes- S. America

The Rocky Mountains

Tectonic Plate Boundaries • Major mountain ranges coincide with tectonic plate boundaries…. the EDGE…where 2 plates meet!! • • Rockies- N. A. Andes- S. A. Hymalayas - Asia Mid Atlantic Ridge

More About Topography • Your Book Page 6 -9 • www. ngdc. noaa. gov/ mgg/image