Although land only makes up one fourth of the earth's surface, we tend to know it better as it is the part we live in

What kind of map would you use to find where landforms are???

Physical Systems of Earth -- The 4 Realms: Atmosphere: the layer of air that surrounds the earth Lithosphere: the surface layer of the earth composed of land Biosphere: all parts of the earth that contain life Hydrosphere: part of the earth that contains water

Atmosphere A layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night. Consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

Lithosphere The Earth's solid surface, often called the crust of the earth. There are two types of lithosphere: –Oceanic lithosphere, which is associated with Oceanic crust and exists in the ocean basins –Continental lithosphere, which is associated with Continental crust

Biosphere The term "biosphere" was coined by geologist Eduard Suess in 1875, which he defined as: –"The place on Earth's surface where life dwells.” All life on earth, including man, and all organisms. Every part of the planet, from the polar ice caps to the Equator, supports life of some kind. The life zone on our planet distinguishes our planet from the others in the solar system.

Hydrosphere All of the water on Earth –the combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of a planet. 70% of the earth is covered by water

Which “sphere” does this picture show? This scene on Earth simultaneously shows the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere!

EARTH’S STRUCTURE Always changing Inside is made of four layers: inner core, outer core, mantle, crust Core is center of the Earth. Made of very hot metal. Inner core is solid, outer core is liquid. Mantle is dense, hot rock. Crust is the rocky surface layer

Is the Earth a Puzzle?? Plate Tectonics is the idea that the Earth’s surface is divided into rigid crustal plates –Outer shell of earth is composed of large plates that slowly move over the mantle. –When the plates move, they collide or separate. Along plate boundaries is where most earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geologic events occur.

Before we had 7 Continents we had Pangea. Pangea was a large supercontinent, the theory is that it was fragmented into several pieces, each being part of a mobile plate of the lithosphere. These pieces were to become Earth's current continents. The movement of the continents is known as the Continental Drift.

Continents Today we have 7 large landmasses called continents. They are: »North America »South America »Europe »Asia »Antarctica »Australia »Africa

Types of Landforms 1. Mountain6. Lake 2. Valley7. Ocean 3. Plain8. Coast 4. Plateau9. Desert 5. Island 10. River

Definition: An opening in the earth, through which lava, rock, and gases are forced out Volcanoes in the U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. There are more than 500 active volcanoes in the world

What is Magma??? Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface

What are Hot Spots?? An area formed entirely of volcanic origin Can you name a Hot Spot??? Hawaii

Mountains Mountains are places that are much higher than the land around them. They are different from plateaus because plateaus have flat tops

Appalachian Mountains These Mountains were formed over 250 Million years ago, and have been worn down over time.

The Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains are 25 million years old. Peaks in the Rockies are twice as tall as those in the Appalachian Range.

How have mountains played an important role in history??? they have offered protection from invading armies and are frequently the boundaries between countries mountains have an important role in affecting the climate of an area Mountains also protect valleys from extremes in weather

Name the highest mountains in the world???? Himalayas What is the highest peak???? Mt. Everest Where are they??? Asia

Plains Plains are flat surfaces at low levels.

Plateaus are raised areas of land with a flatter top. Plateaus

Islands are bodies of land completely surrounded by water Many islands are really places where volcanoes built up under the ocean

Which continent is an Island??? Australia Which Island once was attached to Europe???? Great Britain

What do you call a large chain of Island???? A large chain of islands is an Archipelago

Geyser Water that erupts under the ground and shoots out.

An earthquake is formed when faulting and folding of the earth happens. What do we call a crack in the earth????? Fault Line

What do we call an underwater earthquake??? An underwater earthquake is a tsunamis!

Other Land Forms Some are natural and some manmade. An isthmus is a very narrow band of land between two bodies of water. A valley is low land between hills and mountains. A peninsula is a body of land with water surrounding it on three sides. »N»Name a peninsula in North America?.? Florida

Isthmus

Valley

Peninsula

The Earth is a WATERY place! 70% of the earth is water!!!! It is made up of : »Oceans »Seas »Gulfs »Bays »Lakes »Streams »Rivers »Ground Water »Glaciers

Water An inlet is any area of water extending into the land from a larger body of water. A sound is a long inlet that often separates offshore islands from the mainland. The Great Lakes are the worlds largest collection of freshwater lakes. Can you name the Great Lakes? –H.O.M.E.S.

The Great Lakes

Definition: body of salt water larger than a sea The Earth contains 4 oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific. 90% of the water found on Earth is from its oceans The ocean’s average depth is 12,175 ft!! Menu

Definition: Large stream of water that flows across the land The longest river is the Nile The largest river is the Amazon One important river in America is the Mississippi Can you name any other rivers??

Definition: large ice mass that moves slowly down a mountain or across land Can be found on every continent Two types: 1. alpine glaciers that are found in mountains and 2. continental glaciers that cover large parts of a continent

How much of the earth is Fresh Water????? ONLY 3% !!!!!

Gulf- a large part of an ocean or a sea that lies within a curved coastline. It is larger than a bay Strait- a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water Desert- a large land area that receives very little rainfall Continent- one of the 7 major landmasses on the globe Country- a state or nation with it’s own government Lake- body of water completely surrounded by land Sea- large body of salt water nearly or partly surrounded by land. It is smaller than an ocean Canyon- a deep, narrow valley with high, steep sides