Movements of Earth's Crust

How do movements of the earth's crust change earth?

Inside the earth

EARTH'S LAYERS

The Earth is a sphere made up of very different layers.

Plate tectonics

The theory that Earth's crust is divided into plates that are always moving is called plate tectonics. In some places, plates move towards each other, in other places, they spread apart.

Earth's crust si made up of large tectonic plates.

Land features form where plates collide. Others form where they separate = plate boundaries.

enormous valleys

mountain ranges

mountain ranges

island chains

PLATE BOUNDARIES

Tectonic plates move toward each other and spread apart, they can also slide past each other. Their motion produces boundaries that shape different landforms.

Plates pull away from each other

Plates push together

Plates move sideways

EARTHQUAKES

An earthquake occurs with the release of energy and shaking of the ground.

A fault is a break in crust where rock on one side can move in relation to rock on the other side.

The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus is the epicenter.

The point inside Earth where an earthquake begins is the focus.

Earthquakes can be dramatic and can cause great damage to built structures.

MEASURING EARTHQUAKES

An earthquake's magnitude is the amount of energy it releases.

Richter scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes on a scale of 1 - 10.

VOLCANOES

Lava is the molten rock that erupts from the volcano with ash and gases.

The liquid rock below Earth's crust is called magma.

A volcano is an opening that allows magma to reach Earth's surface.

Types of volcanoes