Land, Water, and Climate World Geography September 12, 2006

Landforms There are four main kinds of landforms, or natural features of the earth’s surface There are four main kinds of landforms, or natural features of the earth’s surface MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS HILLS HILLS PLATEAUS PLATEAUS PLAINS PLAINS

Mountains They are the highest of the world’s landforms. They are the highest of the world’s landforms. They are at least 2,000 feet above sea level They are at least 2,000 feet above sea level

Hills They rise from 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level They rise from 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level

Plateaus and Plains Plateaus are raised areas of flat or almost flat land. Plateaus are raised areas of flat or almost flat land. They can vary from 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level They can vary from 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level Plains are large areas of flat or gently rolling land. Plains are large areas of flat or gently rolling land. They are less than 1,000 feet above sea level They are less than 1,000 feet above sea level

Surface Changes From Inside of the Earth The land surface is constantly changing The land surface is constantly changing Heat and pressure from inside of the earth causes these changes. Heat and pressure from inside of the earth causes these changes. The earth is made up of the “core” of solid and melted rock The earth is made up of the “core” of solid and melted rock The next layer is the mantle, which is hot solid rock The next layer is the mantle, which is hot solid rock Floating on the mantle is the crust, which is a thin layer of rock, sand and soil Floating on the mantle is the crust, which is a thin layer of rock, sand and soil

Surface Changes from Inside of the Earth continued… As heat and pressure from the core causes the mantle to rise, this puts pressure on the crust to move As heat and pressure from the core causes the mantle to rise, this puts pressure on the crust to move Scientists believe the earth moves in sections called tectonic plates Scientists believe the earth moves in sections called tectonic plates This explains continental drift This explains continental drift

Tectonic Plates It is plate movement that causes volcanoes and earthquakes It is plate movement that causes volcanoes and earthquakes They push against each other, pull apart, and slide past one another livable They push against each other, pull apart, and slide past one another livable Tectonic plates are still moving Tectonic plates are still moving

Tectonic plates