Layers of the Earth, Landforms, and Waterways Chapter 1 Sections 3 and 4

Layers of the Earth The crust is the top part of the Earth. 31 to 62 miles deep. It includes the ocean floor and the seven continents. The mantle is the layer of rock around the core. The part closest to the core is solid, but the outer layer is magma. It flows to the earth’s surface during volcanic eruptions. The core is the center of the Earth. It is hot iron mixed with other metals and rock. The inner core is solid, but the outer core is hot liquid metal

Hills Types of Landforms Canyon Mountains – towers of rock with steep slopes and high peaks. Plains – low lying stretches of flat land. Plateaus – Flat land that is elevated. Sometimes they have steep cliffs on one side. Hills – shorter, rounded towers of rock usually covered with grass Canyons – steep sided lowlands created by a river.

Valleys – low areas of land usually between mountains or hills. Isthmus – a narrow piece of land that connects two larger pieces of land. Peninsula – a piece of land with water on three sides. Island – body of land smaller than a continent and completely surrounded by water. Delta – a deposit of soil at the end of a river. Valley Peninsula Delta Isthmus Island

Forces that shape landforms Weathering – breaking down surface rock. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Volcanoes Erosion – water, wind, and ice can wear away or move weathered rocks. Plate Tectonics – The plates in the earth’s crust move and change landforms. When the plates collide, they form mountain ranges. Volcanoes are made when continental plates move under an oceanic plates. If pressure on the plates builds, it causes earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Undersea earthquakes may cause tsunamis. Humans

Strait – narrow body of water between two pieces of land. Bodies of Water Strait – narrow body of water between two pieces of land. Channel – a passage of water wider than a strait. River – a stream of water that flows through land and empties into a larger body of water. Oceans – a large body of salt water. Lake – a body of water surrounded by land. Lake Strait Channel River Ocean