1. Exploring Earth’s Surface
Topography and Earth’s Four Spheres

2. I. Topography is the shape of the land
It may be:
Flat
Sloping
Hilly or Mountainous

3. A. The topography of an area is determined by the area’s:
Elevation
Relief
Landforms

5. The height above sea level is called
Elevation
7735 meters
sea level

7. The difference between highest and lowest points of an area is its
Relief

8. A landform is a feature of topography formed by processes that shape the Earth’s surface.

9. There are 3 main types of landforms.
Plains are landforms with flat or gently rolling land of low relief.

10. Mountains are landforms with high elevation and high relief.
A range of mountains is a group of mountains that are closely related in shape, structure, and age.

11. A plateau is a landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface (low relief).
And now for something completely different…

12. II. The Earth’s Four Spheres
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere

13. Lithosphere
As you know, the lithosphere is the Earth’s solid, rocky outer layer, floating on the liquid mantle.

14. Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding our planet
The outermost sphere is made up of: nitrogen (78%) oxygen (21%) argon (.93%) carbon dioxide (.036%) …and other trace gases.
Water vapor also plays an enormous role in the Earth’s atmosphere.

15. Hydrosphere
Earth’s oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice form the Hydrosphere.

16. Biosphere
All living things make up the biosphere, which is found in each of the other spheres.

17. And that’s the Earth’s surface.