How the Earth’s Surface Changes

Tectonic Plates 14 major plates Move about 5 cm. a year Fit together like puzzle pieces Build up pressure as they move

How plates collide and pull apart.

Tectonic plates continued When plates collide into each other it forms mountains and volcanoes on the crust When plates pull apart (diverge) from each other it forms earthquakes and volcanoes on the crust When plates slide past each other it forms earthquakes, mountains, and volcanoes on the crust

Plates collide/crash together to form mountains and volcanoes.

Plates pull apart to form earthquakes and volcanoes.

Plates slide past each other to form earthquakes and volcanoes.

So now that the earth has landforms, do those landforms ever change? If so, HOW? (How landforms change) Water Heat from the sun Wind Ice Mass movement (a big mass of rocks or snow falling a long distance like off of a mountain top.) Root pry

Weathering Weathering is the process of breaking down rock into soil, sand, and other tiny particles called sediments.

Erosion Erosion is the process of moving sediment from one location to another.

Erosion

Deposition Deposition is the process of dropping off or depositing sediment in a new location.

How water changes the earth’s surface: Rainfall Rivers Waterfalls

How wind can change the earth’s surface: Winds pick up sediments and dust particles and carry them long distances. Strong winds can blow hard against rock and break it down.

How ice can change the earth’s surface: Glaciers grind the land as they move slowly on the land. Glaciers pick up sediments as they move and deposit in different locations.

How mass movements can change the earth’s surface: Mud slides Avalanches Rock slides Sink holes Creep (soil and grass on bridges)