Processes Shaping Planet Earth Essential Question: What forces
have helped shape Earths landforms, climate, and plant life?
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Lithosphere Consists of Earths crust and the top section of
solid mantle. Divided into shifting tectonic plates.
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Plate Tectonic Motion Scientists believe all continents formed
1 giant land mass and these have moved over time. Effects:
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Seafloor Spreading, Mountains and Rift
Valleys.
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Causes of Plate Tectonic Motion Believed heat and gravity may
be responsible for the movement of tectonic plates. Gravity pulls
oceanic plates under land plates.
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Effects of Plate Tectonic Motion Mountain Building Seafloor
Spreading and Rift Valleys
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Effects of Plate Tectonic Motion VolcanoesEarthquakes and
Tsunamis
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Weathering and Erosion Weathering: Rocks broken apart by wind,
water, ice and organisms. Erosion: Rocks and particles are broken
down and carried to a new location. WeatheringErosion
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The Hydrosphere It is made up of all water on Earths surface.
70% of Earths surface is covered by oceans. Water circulates
through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
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Forms saltwater97 percent of worlds water freshwatermost frozen
in ice caps; less than 1 percent in vapor and liquid form Where
liquid fresh water is found surface waterin rivers, lakes,
estuaries, wetlands groundwaterstored in soil and water table
(aquifers) 12 The Hydrosphere
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Tides and Currents Gravitational pull of the moon causes tides,
a cyclic rise and fall of the oceans. Ocean water is moved by
surface and deep sea currents.
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The Atmosphere and Weather The atmosphere is an envelope of
gases around Earth. The gases of the atmosphere absorb solar
radiation, moderate temperatures and distribute water. Orographic
Precipitation Windward SideLeeward Side
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Effects of mountains and elevation on weather and climate: 16
Increase in elevation causes drop in temperature. Mountains cause
orographic effect: moist air meets a barrier and is pushed upward,
causing cooling, condensation, and precipitation. Mountainside
facing wind is the windward, wetter side; side facing away from
wind is the leeward, drier side, called the rain shadow.
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Rain Shadow
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The Atmosphere and Weather Weather consists of temperature,
humidity, precipitation, and wind. Heating of the atmosphere and
Earths spin create wind patterns. Surface features like mountains
also affect weather.
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Climate Climate is determined by average weather conditions
over a long period of time. Influenced by: Latitude, Elevation,
Winds, Ocean Currents, Mountain Barriers
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Climate Climate Regions based on similarities in climate.
Examples include Polar Climates and Tropical Climates.
High-Latitude Climates: North/South Poles have similar climates
with very cold winter temperatures. Mid-Latitude Climates: warm
summers and cool winters. Located North of Tropic of Cancer and
South of Tropic of Capricorn Low-Latitude Climates: tropical
climates with warm temperatures. Located between the Tropic of
Cancer and Capricorn.
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The Biosphere and Biomes Biosphere refers to all life on Earth.
Biomes are variations in climate which lead to distinct regions
based on similarities of plant and animal life. Temperate Deciduous
Forest: ample rain, moderate temperatures, trees change colors in
fall Tropical Rainforests: found in the tropics/near the equator.
Great abundance of plant/animal life. Grasslands/Savanna/Steppes:
climate is drier, not enough rainfall to support trees. Grasses
dominate with grazing animals. Deserts: Receive less than 10 inches
of rain/year. Tundra: Soil is so cold trees cannot grow. Found near
the poles.
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Temperate Deciduous Forest
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Tropical Rainforests
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Grasslands/Savanna/Steppes
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Deserts
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Tundra
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Review 1.Can you think of any examples of weathering, erosion
or deposition that have affected your own community? 2.Which best
explains why we experience four season on Earth? A.the
gravitational pull of the moon B.The distance between Earth and the
sun C.The tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the
sun D.the effect of tectonic plate movement on Earths oceans
Answer: C 3.In what way are climate regions and biomes related? The
type of climate determines the types of animals and plant life in
the area where the climate exists.
