Landform Patterns
What are landforms?
Landforms are the natural features that make up the earths surface - even though we don't notice them, they are important. They affect us wether we know it or not.
What is the definition of plate tectonics?
The theory that Earth's crust is made up of several different pieces, or plates, that are pushed by forces inside the planet
How do large earthquakes happen?
Most large earthquakes happen when plates move past or under each other
Where do plants get the nutrients they need?
Plants get there nutrients from soil.
The change from fertile land into desert land is called what?
It is called desertification.
Does the land change quickly or over time?
The land can change quickly like an earthquake and slow like valleys.
What is the definition of convection flow?
Is the circular motion that occurs when warmer material rises and is replaced by cooler material.
What is the Ring Of Fire?
The Ring Of Fire is an earth quake zone and is also a string of volcanoes that surround the pacific ocean
Why are grasslands more common than trees in hotter, drier areas?
Grasslands are more common than trees because grasslands need less water than trees.
What two ways can desertification occur?
Desertifiaction can be caused by climate change and poor farming.
What three things can earthquakes trigger?
Earthquakes can trigger landslides, mudslides, and tsunamis.
What are the two types of Action? Define Each of them.
Physical Action - the wind and water disintegrate the rocks
Chemical Action - Acids in the water dissolve the rock into particles
What is the epicenter and where is it located?
When energy is released shock waves shake the land. The epicenter is the place on Earth's surface directely above where the main shock occurs.
What are the three natural factors?
Moisture
Temperature
Soil
How many people live in areas with desertification?
About one billion people live in areas with desertification.
How is the depression in the plains created?
They are created by running water, moving ice, and the movement of land.
What are the three types of Erosion?
Water Erosion
Ice Erosion
Wind Erosion
What are seismographs and how many seismographs are around the world?
The seismograph is an important tool that measures and records the size and magnitudes of movements on the ground, especially of an earthquake. There are about 4000 seismographs around the world, constantly recording the time and size of each quake.
What are the threee reasons why forests have been cut down?
Forests have been cut down to create spaces for cities, roads, and farmland.
What are the five landforms types? Define each of them.
Mountains
There are mountains on every continent on earth. There are several types of mountains but they are all formed by huge movements in Earth's crust. The crust is the top layer of rock on the surface of Earth. Fold mountains are created by volcanic eruption. A volcano is a mountanious landform through which fluid and semi-fluid from far beneath Earth's escapes. The material is magma. When it reaches Earth's surface, it is called lava.
Shields
Shields are a very old rock that make up continents. They were formed from ancient mountain regions that have been worn down over millions of years. Shields exist on every continent in the world. The Canadian Shield is the largest landform in Canada.
Valleys
A valley is an area of low land between areas of higher land. Valleys often have a river or stream flowing through them in several ways. A v-shaped valley is created when rivers and streams run over the surface of the land and carry away materials. A u-shaped valley when ice moves over the rock or land and carries away materials.
Plains
There are plains on every continent. Plains are usually at low elevations. Some were formed at the bottom of what once were seas. They are generally quite flat. However, plains can have areas of gently rolling hills. Plains are well suited for agriculture and farming.
Plateaus
Plateaus are large areas of mainly flat land at high elevations. while both plains and plateuas are quite flat, plateaus occur at higher elevations than plains. Plateaus are created by movements under Earth's surface that lift the land.
What are the 3 plate boundaries? Define each of them.
Divergent Plate Boundaries - A place where two plates of the lithosphere move away from each other. They are usually located on ocean floors. Here, magma moves upwards between the plates, creating new rock.
Transform Plate Boundaries - A place where side-by-side plates grind past each other. The friction caused by this usually causes earthquakes
Convergent Plate Boundaries - A place where two plates of the lithosphere come together. When two continental plates meet, the constant pressure against each other causes the edges of the plates to compress and push up.
What are the three dangers of volcanoes?
1. The flows of lava that escape during a volcanic eruption can be very harmful to people. However, because lava moves slowly, people usually have enough time to escape.
2.The biggest risk to people from volcanoes are the very hot gasses, ash, and rocks that are shot into the air during eruptions. These eruptions release toxic gasses, making it hard for people to breath and potentially causing damage to people's lungs.
3. Lava causes fires, however the ash released can also destroy proprety.
What is slash-and-burn?
Slash-and-burn is when farmers cut down trees by hand and burn them.