Forces shaping the earth

Forces shaping the earthInside the EarthThree layersCore: center of the earthInner core solidOuter core liquidMantle: layer of rock surrounding the coreSolid near coreOuter layer sometimes meltsMagma: hot, melted rock that sometimes flows outward during volcanic eruptions

Crust: uppermost layerIncludes ocean floors & continents

Forces beneath the earths crustPlate tectonics: theory that the earths crust consists of moving plates

When plates meetCan create high mountain ranges (the Himalayas)

Earthquake: violent and sudden movement of the earths crust

Tsunami: huge waves created by undersea earthquakes

Forces shaping landformsWeathering: the process of breaking surface rock into boulders, gravel, sand, and soil

Erosion: process of wearing away or moving weathered materialWater, wind, iceGlaciers: giant slow-moving sheets of ice