Exploring Earth’s Surface Chapter 1 Section 1 Page 6-10

Objective: Compare and contrast main landforms based on elevation & relief. Topography: Shape of the land. The topography of an area is determined by the area’s elevation, relief, and landforms. Elevation: The height above sea level on a point of Earth’s surface. Relief: The difference in elevation between the highest & lowest parts of an area is its relief. Landform: A feature of topography formed by the processes that shape Earth’s surface. (ex. Hill, valley, mountain,)

Types of Landforms: *Plain: Flat or gently rolling land with low relief. The broad interior plain of North America is called the Great Plains. *Mountain: Landform with high elevation and high relief. *Mountain Range: A group of Mountains that are closely related in shape, structure and age. *Plateau: Landform with high elevation and a level surface. Landform Region: A large area of land where the topography is made up mainly of one type of landform.