Landforms
Layers of the Earth
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The Earth is made up of 4 layers that each have their own characteristics. The 4 layers are the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core. We can learn more about them down below. Click on the buttons below to learn more about each layer.
Tectonic Plates
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Tectonic Plates are the puzzle pieces that make the Crust. They each vary in size and shift around a little each day. The 7 largest plates are the Pacific, Eurasian, African, North American, South American, Antarctic, and Indo-Australian plate. There are many other smaller ones as you can see in the picture. Theses plates move around which causes them to hit and rub against each other. Where they meet is called a Plate Boundary. There are 3 kinds of plate boundaries which are Divergent, Convergent, and Transform Boundaries. Divergent is when the plates are moving away from each other and can cause volcanoes to form. Divergent plates can also cause Oceanic Trenches under water. Convergent is when the plates hit into each other can cause one to go under the other and Mountains can form. Transform is when the plates are sliding past each other and can get stuck together. Tension can build up when they are stuck then they eventually release causing an earthquake.
Mountains
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Mountains are the result of Convergent Boundaries. They are usually much taller than the surrounding area and are in mountain ranges but can be isolated peaks. Mountains are usually very tall but can be eroded over many years changing shape and size. They also can have a different ecosystem than down below. Because of the elevation it is colder on the mountains which cause different plants and animals to be there.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes can be very dangerous to those around them. They are formed by Divergent Boundaries which allow magma to come through the crust. It builds up over many years and causes a volcano to form. They can constantly erupt every day or erupt only once every 100 years. What is erupted is called lava and what is deep on the earth is called magma. They may both be molten rock but there is a different name depending on the location. After a very long time volcanoes may become less active and eventually not erupt at all. These volcanoes are called dormant volcanoes. Then when volcanoes are still erupting or are going to are called active volcanoes. You can also see to the side the different parts of a volcano.
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