G1-1

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 of a point on

Earth’s surface Relief – difference in elevation between the highest

and lowest parts of an areaLandforms – 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 the Earth’s surface?

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Types of Landforms

There are three main types of landforms–Plains–Mountains–Plateaus

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s

surface?

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Plains

A landform made of flat or gently rolling land with low relief

Two types of plainsCoastal 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

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?

G1-1

Interior plain – a plain that lies away from the coast. Elevation can vary, but relief is lowi.e. Great Plains

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?

G1-1

MountainsA 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 (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?

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

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

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s

surface?

G1-1

Atmosphere

Outermost sphereA mixture of gases that surround a planetEarth’s atmosphere mostly made of nitrogen and oxygenAlso contains water vapor , carbon dioxide and other gases

EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?

G1-1

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?

G1-1

Biosphere• 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).

EQ: How do I describe the topography and

spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?

G1-1

Class Work and Homework

• Fill In What did I learn Confused Say

• Read pages G14 – G18. Answer questions 1-5 with complete sentences.

EQ: How do I describe the topography and

spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?