EXPLORING THE EARTH

Earth’s Major Spheres

• The hydrosphere includes all liquid water on Earth—both saltwater and fresh water.

• The atmosphere consists of the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth.

• Although the atmosphere extends more than 100km up, 90% is within 16km of the surface.

Earth History

• Spheres work together in a System: A change in any part of the system will affect the other parts

• Energy: All energy on earth comes from the sun

• Constructive forces & destructive forces: Forces that have built up, or torn away the surface of the earth and changed it over time

Branches of Earth Science• --Ology: The study of• Geology: Study of forces that have shaped

the earth • Oceanography: Study of Oceans• Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere• Astronomy: Study of the universe outside of

the atmosphere• Environmental science: Study of the

environment and resources.

Earth’s Topography

• TOPOGRAPHY: The shape of the landCan be flat, sloping, hilly, or mountainous.

Topography includes:1. Elevation: Height above sea level2. Relief: Difference between highest and lowest

parts of an area3. Landforms: A feature about the topography

(how the topography is shaped)

Landforms

• Plains: Nearly flat, rolling surface with very little relief

• Mountains: Landform with high elevation and high relief.– Mountain Range: Series or group of mountains

• Plateau: Landform with high elevation and flat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mt_Roraima_in_Venezuela_001.JPG

Landform Region

• An area that has one type of landform

• Examples: Rocky Mountain Region, Appalachian Region, Great Plains

Map Vocabulary (Pg. 26)

• Scale: Relates distance on a map to a distance on earth

• Symbols: Stand for features on the map• Key: List of symbols with explanation

• Degrees: Distance in a circle

• Equator: Line ½ way between north and south poles

• Prime Meridian: ½ way between east and west—separates the hemispheres

• Longitude: Lines going north to south….measured in degrees from the prime meridian

• Latitude: Lines going east to west…measures degrees north or south from the equator

The Global Grid

• Map: flat model of the earth or part of the earth

• Globe: Sphere that represents the entire earth

• Topographic Map: Map that shows the surface features of an area.

Topographic Maps

• Contour lines: Connect the points of equal elevation

• Contour Intervals: Change in elevation from one line to another

• Index Contours: Labeled Contour lines