What forces shape the Earth?

Internal forces Internal forces Core-center of the earth Mantle-surrounds the core and has several layers Magma-molten rock which forms in the mantle Crust-thin layer of rock at the earth’s surface.

Bodies of Water Oceans and Seas One large ocean but geographers divide it into four main parts: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean (Largest), the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean

Bodies of Water (cont) Lakes, rivers, and streams Ground water Water that is held by the soil, and some flows into the pores of rock below soil

Landforms Landforms are naturally formed features on the surface of the earth. Oceanic landforms The floor of the ocean has ridges, valleys, canyons, and plains just like the earth’s surface.

Types of Maps Physical maps-help you see the types of landforms and bodies of water found in a specific area. On a physical map color, shading, or contour lines are used to indicate elevation or altitude. Political maps-show features on the earth’s surface that humans created. Cities, states, territories, or countries are examples of a political map. Topography maps-shows the landforms with their vertical dimensions and their relationship to other landforms.

Vocabulary Plateau-a large flatland with one steep side and little relief Mesa-land formation less extensive than a plateau but has steep walls and a relatively flat top. Plateau and Mesa mean almost the same thing

Vocabulary continued Isthmus-a narrow piece of land that connects two landmasses Island-a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent

Vocabulary Volcano-An opening in the earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected. Flood plain-the flat area bordering a river, composed of sediment deposited during flooding

Vocabulary River mouth Peninsula-a narrow strip of land projecting into a sea or lake from the mainland Steppe-an extensive grassy plain usually without trees

Vocabulary Butte-A steep-sided hill with a flat top, often standing alone in an otherwise flat area. A butte is smaller than a mesa. Prairie-a treeless grassy plain of the central US and S Canada

Vocabulary Delta-the flat alluvial area at the mouth of some rivers where the mainstream splits up into several distributaries ex. Mississippi Delta Plateau-a wide mainly level area of elevated land

Vocabulary Cliff-a high, steep, or overhanging face of rock Oasis-a fertile patch in a desert occurring where the water table approaches or reaches the ground surface Cataract-a large waterfall or rapids

Vocabulary Marsh-An area of soft, wet, low-lying land, characterized by grassy vegetation and often forming a transition zone between water and land.

Vocabulary Harbor-A sheltered part of a body of water deep enough to provide anchorage for ships. Protects from wind, waves, and currents

Vocabulary Sea Level-the level of the surface of the sea with respect to the land, taken to be the mean level between high and low tide, and used as a standard base for measuring heights and depths