Landforms

Landforms

• Forces inside and outside Earth produce Earth’s diverse landforms.

2.1 Landforms

• Landforms are features such as mountains, plateaus, and plains.

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Uplift

• Is any process that moves the surface of Earth to a higher elevation

– Mountains and plateaus are a result of uplift.

2.1 Landforms

• Earth’s internal energy produces uplift.

• When melted rock moves to the surface, a mountain called a volcano can form.

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Landforms Shaped by Surface Processes

• Surface processes wear down the land.

• Weathering and erosion

• Most erosion is done by water (p. 78)

2.1 Landforms

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California Landforms

California Landforms

• Yosemite Valley National Park

– Glaciers carved the U-shaped surface of the valley

2.1 Landforms

• Lassen Volcanic National Park

– Features an active volcano

– Part of Cascade Mountain Range

– Shaped by Earth’s internal forces

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• Mt. Shasta

– Cone-shaped volcano formed by sudden uplift

Mountains of California

• Sierra Nevada and Costal Ranges

– Formed by plate tectonic forces

– Are evidence of slow uplift

2.1 Landforms

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Valleys• Some valleys are flat, nutrient rich

land located next to mountain ranges.

• Some valleys are extremely important to agriculture.

2.1 Landforms

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Beaches

• Are temporary features

• Require constant sediment deposits from rivers

• Without rivers continuously adding more sand, beaches would disappear. (p. 81)

2.1 Landforms

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