Exploring Earth’s
Surface
Chapter 1
Section 3
Standard
 S.6.2
 Topography is reshaped by the
weathering of rock and soil and by
the transportation and deposition of
sediment.
Anticipatory Set
Language of the
Discipline
 Topography
 Map
 Elevation
 Scale
 Relief
 Degree
 Plain
 Latitude
 Mountain
 Longitude
 Plateau
Topography (Input)
 Definition- is the shape of the land.
 It may be flat, sloping, hilly or mountainous
 Topography includes the area’s elevation,
relief and landforms.
 Elevation- the height above sea level of a
point on Earth’s surface
 Relief- the difference in elevation between
the highest and lowest parts of an area
 Look at diagram on page 21
Topography (Input)
Types of Landforms
(Input)
 They vary in size and shape
1. Plains- a landform made up of flat or gently
rolling land
 If it is by the coast it is called a costal plain
 If it is not by the coast it is called an interior
plain
Plains (Input)
Mountains (Input)
2. Mountains- a landform with high elevation and high
relief. They are normally in a mountain range
 Mountain Range- mountains that are closely related in
shape, structure and age
 Mountain ranges in a long, connected chain form a
larger called unit called a mountain belt (Rocky Mnts)
Mountains (Input)
Plateaus (Input)
3. Plateaus- a landform that has high elevation
and a more or less level surface
 Streams and rivers cut into the surface
(hardly smooth)
 Columbia Plateau- rocks are stacked 1,500
meters thick
Plateaus (Input)
What is a Map? (Input)
 Map- a flat model of all or part of Earth’s
surfaces as seen from above.
 Maps are drawn to scale and use symbols to
represent topography and other features on
Earth’s surface.
 Scale- relates distance on a map to a
distance on Earth’s surface. It is given as a
ratio.
 Mapmakers use shapes and pictures called
symbols for features of Earth’s surface.
Map (Input)
Map’s Continued (Input)
 A symbol can represent a river, lake, mountain,
or play
 A symbol can also stand for a man made
feature- a highway, city or airport
 Map Key/Legend- is a list of all of the symbols
used on the map and their meanings
 Maps also include a compass rose or north
arrow
 North is usually located at the top of the map
Legends/Keys (Input)
Earth’s Grid (Input)
 You need a grid to help you keep track of
where you are
 To locate positions on Earth’s surface,
scientists use units called degrees.
 Each degree is a measure of an angle
formed by lines drawn from the center of
Earth to points on the surface.
Earth’s Grid (Input)
Equator (Input)
 Halfway between the North and South poles
is an imaginary line that circles the Earth
 This equator divides the Earth into a Northern
Hemisphere and a Southern Hemisphere.
 Hemisphere- one half of the sphere that
makes up Earth’s surface
 Look at wall map. Locate equator, Northern
and Southern Hemispheres
Equator (Input)
Prime Meridian (Input)
 Another imaginary line
 Makes a half circle from the North Pole to
the South Pole.
 If they are East of the line, they are in the
Eastern Hemisphere.
 If they are West of the line, they are in the
Western Hemisphere.
 Look at wall map, locate prime meridian,
and East and West Hemispheres
Prime Meridian (Input)
Locating Points (Input)
 The lines of latitude and longitude on a map
form a grid that can be used to find
locations anywhere on Earth.
 The equator is the starting line to meausre
latitude
 North to South
 The Prime meridian is the starting line to
meausre longitude
 East to West
Using Latitude and
Longitude (Input)
 Any location on Earth can be expressed in
terms of the latitude and longitude lines.
 Look at page 27 and picture of globe
 Explain how they found London
 What would be the latitude and longitude for
Los Angeles?
 What would be the latitude and longitude for
Sydney?
Longitude and Latitude
(Input)
Checking for
Understanding
True or False
Elevation and relief
are part of an area’s
elevation?
 true
Checking for
Understanding
What is the landform
that has high elevation
but a level surface
(relief)?
 Plateau
Checking For
Understanding
 Draw a world map and label
the equator and the prime
meridian
GP and IP
 Guided Practice
 #1-3
 Stop!!! You must have a stamp to keep
going!
 Independent Practice
 #4-6
 Homework
 #7-end