World Geography Chapter 2 Notes

Looking at the Earth

Section 1

Planet Earth

The Solar System

Earth is part of a solar system Sun is at center of solar system 1. Sun is a star 8 planets in the solar system 1. Earth is the 5th largest 2. Jupiter is the largest

Earth’s measurements

93 million miles from Sun 3rd planet from Sun

Water, Land , and Air

70% water 1. Hydrosphere – oceans, lakes, rivers Land 1. Lithosphere – Continents and ocean

basins (land beneath oceans) Air 1. Atmosphere – extends approximately

1,000 feet above Earth’s surface Biosphere – part of Earth where life is

found

Earth’s heights and depths

Mt. Everest – highest point ( 29,028 ft.)

Mariana Trench – lowest point (35,000 ft)

Average height above sea level – 2,800 ft.

Inside the Earth (composed of four layers)

Inner core – center of the Earth (4,000 miles. below the surface)

Outer core – made of iron and nickel (begins about 1800 miles below the surface)

Mantle – a thick layer of dense hot rock

Crust – a thin layer next to the surface (3 to 30 miles deep)

1. continents and ocean basins

http://www.solarviews.com/cap/earth/earthint.htm

Earth’s changing structure

Constantly changing due to internal and external forces

Internal Forces

Forces cause plates to move Plate spread apart – forms a ridge Plates bump together – forms a trench Internal forces build and break down

mountains Folds – bends in layers of rock Plates squeeze Earth’s surface until it

buckles Faults – breaks in the Earth’s surface occurs when surface can’t be bent any

further

Internal Forces Continued Earthquakes and Volcanoes Can cause as much damage under the

ocean as ones on land tsunami – giant tidal waves Often occur where plates meet Many occur along the edge of plates under

the Pacific ocean 1. Called the Ring of Fire Continental Drift theory – geologist believe

that all the continents used to be joined together (Pangea)

External Forces

Weathering – process that breaks down rocks

1.Chemical – water dissolves some of the chemicals in rocks. Causes them break apart

2. Physical – water seeps into the rocks freezes expands and causes the rocks to break apart

External Forces Continued

Erosion – wearing away of the Earth’s surface

1. Wind – movement of dust, sand, and soil from one place to another

2. Water – runoff digs into ground and rocks forms valleys and gullies

Glaciers – destroy forest and land as they move across land

Section 2

Earth’s Features

Landforms

Natural features of the Earth’s surface

Classified by type to help people locate them

Continents

7 large landmasses 1. Asia – largest 2. Australia – smallest Some people consider Europe and

Asia to be one continent (Eurasia) 1. divided by the Ural Mountains

Major landforms Mountains – highest landform, steep slopes with a

peak or summit Hills - lower than mountains, more rounded Plateaus – higher than surrounding land, usually

has one steep side (table top) Plains – flat or gently rolling lands 1. Coastal plains have lower elevations 2. Interior plains have higher elevations Peninsula – piece of land surrounded by water on

3 sides (Florida) Archipelago – a group or chain of islands (Hawaii) Continental Shelf – underwater extension of a

continent

Mountainshighest landform, steep slopes with a peak or summit

Hillslower than mountains, more rounded

Plateaushigher than surrounding land, usually has one steep side

(table top)

PlainsFlat or gently rolling lands

1. Coastal plains have lower elevations 2. Interior plains have higher elevations

Peninsula Piece of land surrounded by water on 3 sides (Florida)

Archipelago A group or chain of islands (Hawaii)

Valley

Water Saltwater

Most of the Earth’s water is salty. Oceans

1. Pacific2. Atlantic3. Indian4. Arctic

Seas – bodies of salt water smaller than oceans

Water Continued Freshwater

Lake – body of water surrounded by land Stream – body of water flowing through land

1. Combine to form rivers2. Rivers combine to form major waterways

Groundwater – freshwater that lies beneath the surface 1. main source comes from rain and melted snow

3% of world’s water is fresh 2% trapped in glaciers .5% is groundwater .5% rivers and lakes

Glaciers

Water Continued

Water cycle – regular movement of water from ocean to air to ground back to ocean

1. Begins with evaporation – changing of liquid water to gas

Section 3

Earth’s Resources

Natural resources

Elements from the Earth not made by people but used by people

1. oil, water, soil Minerals – things from the earth that

are not living or made from living things

Fossil Fuels – formed from the remains of plants and animals

1. coal, oil, gas

Value of resources

Use, supply, and changes over time determine how valuable certain natural resources are

1. Gold 2. Rubber trees 3. Uranium

Managing resources

Renewable resources – can replace themselves

1. plants and animals Nonrenewable – can’t be replaced 1. iron and fossil fuels Recycle – to reuse but can’t replace Protecting 1. crop rotation 2. conservation

Distribution of resources

Not distributed evenly Influences how countries relate to

each other Scarcity has lead to trade 1. Japan – imports raw material

sells finished products Imports – what a country brings in Exports – what a country sends out