1. Exploring Earth’s Surface
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

2. Topography – shape of the land
Determined by an area’s
Elevation - height above sea level of a point on Earth’s surface
Relief – difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area
Landforms – feature of topography formed by the processes that shape the Earth’s surface. All landforms have elevation and relief
Landform region- large area of land where the topography is similar
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

3. There are three main types of landforms Plains Mountains Plateaus
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

4. A landform made of flat or gently rolling land with low relief
Plains
A landform made of flat or gently rolling land with low relief
Two types of plains
Coastal plain
Interior plain
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

5. Coastal plain – plain that lies along the seacoast, low elevation and low relief i.e. area of land that wraps along the eastern and southeastern shores of the USA
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

6. Interior plain – a plain that lies away from the coast
Interior plain – a plain that lies away from the coast. Elevation can vary, but relief is low
i.e. Great Plains
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

7. Mountains A landform with high elevation and high relief
Mountain Range – a group of mountains that are closely related in shape, structure and age
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

8. Plateaus
Landform with high elevation and more or less level surface (low or no relief) The Piedmont region of North Carolina (where we live) is a plateau
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

9. Earth’s Four Spheres Lithosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
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10. Lithosphere
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
Earth’s solid rocky outer layer. Makes up the earth’s crust and uppermost mantle
Made of continents, islands, and ocean floor
Surface varies from smooth plains to jagged mountain peaks
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11. Atmosphere Outermost sphere A mixture of gases that surround a planet
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
Atmosphere
Outermost sphere
A mixture of gases that surround a planet
Earth’s atmosphere mostly made of nitrogen and oxygen
Also contains water vapor , carbon dioxide and other gases
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12. Hydrosphere
All the water on Earth including oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice
Most of our water is ocean
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

13. Biosphere
The sphere or area around the planet Earth where life exists. Most life forms live on, or near the surface of Earth.
Some live deep within the hydrosphere
Others thrive in the depths of the lithosphere (solid portion of Earth).
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1

14. Class Work and Homework
Fill In
What did I learn
Confused
Say
Read pages G14 – G18. Answer questions 1-5 with complete sentences.
EQ: How do I describe the topography and spheres that make up the Earth’s surface?
G1-1