Aim: How are landscapes defined?Do Now: Try to define the following vocabulary terms in your own words or try to give descriptions of what

these landscapes look like.

1) Plains 2) Plateau 3) Mountain

I. Landscapes (Regions):Landscape – an area on Earth’s surface

that has been affected by uplifting and weathering/erosional forces.

Canadian Rocky Mountain Park, British Columbia

Great Plains, Nebraska

Dynamic Equilibrium

No change occurs because opposite forces are equal.

Landscapes: Erosion = Uplifting

Water Cycle: Precipitation = Evaporation

Can you think of any other situations that are in DYNAMIC

EQUILIBRIUM?

Words You Should Know

Relief

Gradient

Elevation of an area

Steepness of the land

Try this: A hiker climbs to the top of a mountain and covers a distance of 2.3km. The hiker started at an elevation of 400m and ended at an elevation of 980m. What is the gradient of the mountain?

Matterhorn, Switzerland

a) Mountains – the greatest relief, and steepest slopes.

-Metamorphic rock

b) Plateau – flat elevated land with deep valleys cut by streams.

- Horizontal sedimentary rock

c) Plains – least topographic relief.

Great Plains, USA

Matterhorn, Switzerland

Colorado Plateau

II. Climate and Landscapes

1. The amount and distribution of precipitation influence landscape characteristics.

Very Wet

Wet

Moderate

Dry

A) Wet climate mountains have rounded peaks and show gentle slopes.

B) Arid (dry) climate mountains have pointed peaks and steeper slopes.

How do the mountains on the East Coast

compare to the mountains on the West Coast of the

United States?

Appalachian Mountains, East Coast United States

Rocky Mountains, West Coast United States

2. The composition of the rock influences landscapes.

A) Strong (durable or competent) rock does not erode easily and forms steeper slopes

- escarpments (cliffs), are created by durable rocks

B) Softer rock erodes faster forming gentle slopes

Banks of Yellow River, China

III. Drainage Patterns

- mimic the landscape they form in.- follows the elevation and contour of the

land.- Starts as small streams and tributaries

and ends in rivers.

= Plains

= Mountains

= Plateau

Closure:

1)Take the worksheet from the back table.

2) You and your partner should work on the FRONT SIDE of the worksheet together.

ESRT page 2 and 3