1. FORCES THAT SHAPE THE EARTH Essential Questions

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
SC.912.E.6.2 Connect surface features to surface processes that are responsible for their formation
SC.912.E.6.3 Analyze the scientific theory of plate tectonics and identify related major processes and features as a result of moving plates
SC.912.E.6.4 Analyze how specific geologic processes and features are expressed in Florida and elsewhere

3. What are Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift?
The Earth’s crust is in constant motion.
This motion is called Continental Drift.
Large pieces of the Earth’s crust, called plates, move away, against and toward each other.
These movements create many of the surface features of the planet.
Use the link below to watch an animation of how the continents formed.

4. What are Plate Boundaries?
There are three different types of boundaries where plates meet and their interactions affect various Earth processes.
Use the link below to observe how plate boundaries interact and create earthquakes, volcanoes, and seafloor spread:

5. How Do Plate Boundaries Affect Volcanoes?
Convergent boundaries form subduction zones that create active volcanoes.
Use the links below to observe how plate boundaries create volcanoes:
Subduction:
Divergence:
Island Building:

6. What Happens During a Volcanic Eruption?
A volcano erupts when the gas-filled magma rises and melts gaps in the surrounding rock, causing it to form a large chamber.
Pressure from the solid rock around the chamber forces the magma up to the surface through the conduit.
The gas and melted rock blast out an opening called the central vent.
Use the link below to observe what happens during a volcano eruption.

7. How are Mountains Formed?
Mountains are formed when two of the Earth’s plates move towards each other.
Use the link below to observe how the Himalaya Mountains were formed.

8. What Causes Earthquakes?
Earthquakes are caused when tectonic plates slowly move along fault lines and get stuck due to friction.
When the stress overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel.
Use the link below to observe what causes earthquakes.

9. What is Weathering? How Does it Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Weathering is the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on Earths surface.
Water, ice, acids, salt, plants, animals, and changes in temperature are all agents of weathering.
There are three different types of weathering: Mechanical (physical), chemical, and biological.
Use the link below to learn about the different types of weathering.

10. What are Erosion and Deposition? How do They Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Erosion is the process of carrying away (by wind, water, ice, gravity or heat) the parts of rock that have been broken up by weathering.
Deposition is the process by which sediments are deposited in a new location.
Use the link below to observe how water erodes a riverbed and deposits sediments in a new location.

11. How do Rivers Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Through the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition, rivers work to form canyons.
Use the link below to watch a video on the formation of the Grand Canyon.

12. How Do Rivers Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Through the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition, rivers work to form deltas.
Use the link below to watch a Youtube video on the formation of the Mississippi River Delta.

13. How Do Rivers Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Through the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition, rivers work to form waterfalls.
Use the link below to observe how waterfalls are formed.

14. How Do Rivers Shape the Earth’s Surface?
Rivers change their own course through a process called meandering.
Use the link below to observe the process of meandering.

15. How are Glaciers Formed?
A glacier is formed from compacted layers of snow.
When new layers of snow fall, previous layers compress into ice.
Use the link below to observe a glacier advancing and retreating.

16. How Does Glaciation Shape the Earth?
Through the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition, glaciers shape the Earth.
Use the link below to view evidence of how glaciers change the Earth’s surface.

17. How Do Wind and Gravity Shape the Earth?
Wind erodes rock through the processes of suspension (moved into the atmosphere), saltation (moved by a series of short bounces) and creep (moved over the ground).
Gravity works to deposit sediments eroded by wind.
Use the link below to observe how wind and gravity shape the Earth.

18. How Do Waves Shape the Earth?
Ocean waves contain energy from the motion of the water.
Wave energy can be transferred to the shoreline in the surf zone, where the waves break on the shore.
The surf can erode rocks and cliffs, move sediments, and grind down shells and pebbles into fine grains of sand.
Use the link below to observe how waves can erode a shoreline.

19. What is the Rock Cycle? Igneous rock forms from when magma cools.
Sediments from igneous and metamorphic rock can become compacted and cemented to form sedimentary rock.
Heat and pressure can change igneous and sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock.
All three rock types can be melted into magma and then reform as igneous rock when it cools.
Use the link below to engage in an interactive animation of the rock cycle.