Earth Science System Energy Constructive Force Destructive Force The science that focuses on the planet Earth and its place in the universe System A group of related parts that work together Energy The ability to work or cause damage Constructive Force A force that build up mountains and landmasses on the Earth’s surface Destructive Force A force that slowly wears away mountains and other features on the surface of the Earth

Geologist Meteorologist Astronomer Environmental Scientist A scientist who studies the forces that make and shape the planet Earth Oceanographer A scientist who studies Earth’s oceans Meteorologist A scientist who studies the causes of weather and tries to predict it Astronomer A scientist who studies the universe beyond the Earth Environmental Scientist A scientist who studies the effects of human activities on Earth's land, air water and living things

Topography Elevation Relief Landform Plain The shape of the land determined by elevation, relief and landforms Elevation Height above sea level Relief The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point in an area Landform A feature of topography formed by the processes that shape the Earth’s surface Plain A landform made up of flat or gently rolling land in low relief

Mountain Mountain Range Plateau Landform Region Map A landform with high elevation and high relief Mountain Range A series of mountains that have the same general shape and structure Plateau A landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface Landform Region A large area of land where the topography is similar Map A flat model of all or part of earth’s surface as seen from above

Globe Scale Symbol Key Degree A sphere that represents Earth’s entire surface Scale Used to compare distance on a map or globe to distance on the Earth’s surface Symbol On a map, pictures used by mapmakers to stand for features on Earth’s surface Key A list of symbols used on a map Degree A unit used to measure distances around a circle

Equator Hemisphere Prime Meridian Latitude Longitude The imaginary line that circles the Earth halfway between the North and South poles Hemisphere One half of the sphere that makes up the Earth’s surface Prime Meridian The line that makes a half circle from the North Pole to the South Pole that passes through Greenwich England Latitude The distance in degrees north or south of the equator Longitude The distance in degrees east or west of the prime meridian

Map Projection Surveying Digitizing Satellite Image Pixel A framework of lines that helps to show landmasses on a flat surface Surveying The process of gathering data for a map by using instruments and principles of geometry to determine distance and elevation Digitizing Converting information to numbers for use by a computer Satellite Image Pictures of the land surface based on computer data collected from satellites Pixel The tiny dots in a satellite image

Topographic Map Contour Line Contour Interval Index Contour Global Positioning System A method of finding latitude and longitude using a network of satellites Topographic Map A map that shows the surface features of an area Contour Line A line on a topographical map that contains points of equal elevation Contour Interval The difference in elevation from one contour line to the next Index Contour On a topographical map a heavier contour line that is labeled with elevation of that contour line in round units