Transcript Changes Within the Earth

Changes Within the Earth
Chapter 1 Section 2
I.
Physical Characteristics
(Geology the study of the earth’s physical structure and history)
A. The Earth’s Layers
1. Core-Center
a. Iron & nickel
b. Inner core-dense & solid
c. Outer core-molten
2. Mantle-thick layer of rock around core
a. 1800 miles thick
b. Mostly solid
3. Crust-rocky surface layer
a. 5-22 miles thick
b. Natural forces create landforms
B. Land, Air & Water
1. Lithosphere: soil, rocks, landforms, & other surface
features
2. Atmosphere: Layer of air water and other-above
the surface
3. Hydrosphere: water-oceans, lakes, rivers,
underground
4. Biosphere: world of plants, animals and other living
things
5. Continents: Large landmasses in oceans
6. Landforms: Classified by relief-differences in
elevations
a.
b.
c.
d.
Mountains-high relief
Hills-lower and less steep than mountains
Plateaus-raised area-generally level
Plains-flat or gently rolling area
II. Physical Processes
A. Volcanoes: Form when magma breaks
through the earth’s crust.
1. Lava-molten rock above surface
2. Plateau-like shield volcano
3. Small cinder cones
B. Movements in the Crust
1. Fold-rock layers bend/buckle
2. Fault-breaks in the earth’s crust
III. Understanding the Past
A.
Plate Tectonics
1. number of moving plates