ReliefRelief

• The Earth’s crust is not smooth, but The Earth’s crust is not smooth, but shows relief.shows relief.

• Relief can be defined as: height Relief can be defined as: height variations in the landscape.variations in the landscape.

• Relief may be roughly categorised Relief may be roughly categorised in 4 ways:in 4 ways:

1.1. High mountain rangeHigh mountain range

2.2. Low mountain rangeLow mountain range

3.3. HillsHills

4.4. LowlandsLowlands

High mountain range – The Rocky High mountain range – The Rocky MountainsMountains

Low mountain range in the Black Forest Low mountain range in the Black Forest (Germany)(Germany)

Hills in South LimburgHills in South Limburg

Lowlands in South HollandLowlands in South Holland

• An area without any significant relief is a plain.An area without any significant relief is a plain.

• If the area is lower than 500 m, it is called a If the area is lower than 500 m, it is called a coastal plaincoastal plain

• Above 500 m, it is called a plateau.Above 500 m, it is called a plateau.

• The Tbetan plateau in the Himalayas is no less The Tbetan plateau in the Himalayas is no less than 5000 m high.than 5000 m high.