Forces Below Plate Tectonics: Theory that explains how forces within the planet create landforms. Plates move along the upper mantle. The process by which this takes place is usually referred to as continental drift.

Earth’s Crust Two Types of Crust: Oceanic Crust Continental Crust Oceanic Crust is thinner and more dense than continental crust. It is also more active.

Earthquakes Caused by separation, colliding, subduction or transformation of plates Most occur along fault lines Earthquakes can cause tsunami’s or giant waves that can travel across the ocean and cause loss of life and property to many people

Volcanoes Hot magma, gases and water pour out of an opening in the earth's crust, usually on a plate boundary. Most well known islands formed by volcano eruption is the Hawaiian Islands

Mountains Folding Rocky Mountains were formed by folding.

Mountains Faulting Sierra Nevadas

Sierra Crest

Sierra Nevadas

The Hydrosphere What is it? Important terms: Desalinization, headwaters, tributary, watershed (drainage basin), wetlands, water table