Constructive
Forces
GPS: S5E1. Students will identify surface features of the Earth caused by
constructive and destructive processes.
• Identify surface features caused by constructive processes.
• Deposition (Deltas, sand dunes, etc.)
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Faults
Essential Question: How
do constructive forces
change the Earth’s
surface?
What is a constructive force?
• A constructive force is a process that raises or
builds up the surface features of the Earth.
– Examples are:
• Deposition- (sand dunes, delta, sea shells)
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Faults
Deposition
• Deposition is the dropping or depositing of
sediment by water, wind, or ice.
• Deposition builds up new land on Earth’s
surface, like a delta at the end of a river or a
sand dune built by the piling up of sand.
• Sea shells on the beach are an example of
deposition.
Sand Dunes
Deltas
• A delta is a landform that is formed at the
mouth of a river.
Earthquakes
• Earthquakes are vibrations on Earth’s surface
caused by sudden movement on Earth, often
along a fault, a break in the Earth’s surface.
• Large earthquakes can cause landslides and
tsunamis.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/earthquakes/
Fault Lines
• A fault line is a break or fracture
in the ground that occurs when
the Earth's tectonic plates move
or shift and are areas where
earthquakes are likely to occur.
Volcanoes
• Volcanoes are mountains with an opening in the
Earth’s crust.
• Magma, gases, and ash come through the
opening to reach Earth’s surface.
• When the magma erupts from the volcanoes, the
top of the mountain can be changed. The top of
the mountain can get larger or explode off.
• The ash and lava can destroy forests and farms.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/volcanoes/