Learn
Games
Blogs
3. Changing Face of the Earth

The Earth is continuously transformed by a variety of internal and external forces that alter its surface. Key processes include the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic activity, erosion, weathering, and human actions like urbanization and deforestation. Understanding these dynamic changes is essential for sustainable land use and environmental conservation.

You've not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take mock test.

Sections

  • 3

    Changing Face Of The Earth

    The section explores how both natural processes and human activities continuously reshape the Earth's surface.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.1

    Introduction To The Changing Face Of The Earth

    This section explains the dynamic processes that continuously reshape the Earth's surface through natural and human influences.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.1.1

    What Is Meant By The Changing Face Of The Earth?

    The changing face of the Earth encompasses natural processes and human activities continuously reshaping the planet's surface.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.1.2

    Dynamic Nature Of The Earth’s Surface

    The dynamic nature of the Earth's surface is defined by continuous natural processes and human activities that reshape landforms and ecosystems.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2

    Forces Responsible For Changing The Earth’s Surface

    This section discusses the internal and external forces that continually reshape the Earth's surface, including endogenic and exogenic forces.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.1

    Endogenic Forces (Internal Forces)

    Endogenic forces are internal processes that shape the Earth's surface, primarily through tectonic movements and volcanic activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.1.1

    Tectonic Forces

    Tectonic forces are fundamental geological processes responsible for the movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates, resulting in earthquakes, mountain formation, and volcanic activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.1.2

    Volcanism

    Volcanism is the process of magma erupting from the Earth’s crust, forming volcanoes and significant landforms.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.1.3

    Diastrophism

    Diastrophism refers to the deformation of the Earth's crust resulting in landforms such as mountains and valleys.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.2

    Exogenic Forces (External Forces)

    Exogenic forces are external forces that shape the Earth's surface through weathering, erosion, and deposition, significantly altering landscapes.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.2.1

    Weathering

    Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles through environmental factors, which is essential for soil formation.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.2.2

    Erosion

    Erosion is the process of wearing away the Earth's surface through natural forces such as water, wind, and ice.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.2.2.3

    Deposition

    Deposition is the process where sediments, soil, and rocks are deposited in new locations after being transported by natural forces.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3

    The Role Of Plate Tectonics In Changing The Earth’s Surface

    This section explores how the movement of tectonic plates shapes the Earth's surface and leads to various geological phenomena.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.1

    Theory Of Plate Tectonics

    The Theory of Plate Tectonics explains how the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates shapes the planet's surface, leading to geological features and seismic activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.2

    Plate Boundaries And Their Effects

    Plate boundaries are crucial zones where tectonic plates interact, leading to significant geological events and landform changes.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.2.1

    Convergent Boundaries

    Convergent boundaries occur when tectonic plates collide, leading to mountain formation and subduction processes.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.2.2

    Divergent Boundaries

    Divergent boundaries occur where tectonic plates move apart, leading to geological features such as rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.2.3

    Transform Boundaries

    Transform boundaries are tectonic plate edges where plates slide past each other, primarily causing earthquakes.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.3.3

    Mountain Building (Orogeny)

    Mountain building, or orogeny, is a geological process resulting from the collision and convergence of tectonic plates, which forms mountain ranges.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4

    Volcanism And Its Impact

    Volcanism involves the eruption of magma from beneath the Earth's crust, leading to the formation of various volcanic features and significantly impacting the landscape and soil fertility.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.1

    What Is Volcanism?

    Volcanism is the process of magma erupting from beneath the Earth's crust, forming various volcanic features.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.2

    Types Of Volcanoes

    This section explores the different types of volcanoes, including active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes, along with their distinguishing features and implications for geological activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.2.1

    Active Volcanoes

    Active volcanoes are those that have erupted recently or are expected to erupt in the future, influencing the Earth's landscape.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.2.2

    Dormant Volcanoes

    Dormant volcanoes are those that have not erupted for a long time but could potentially erupt in the future.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.2.3

    Extinct Volcanoes

    Extinct volcanoes are defined as those that no longer have any magma supply and are not expected to erupt again.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.4.3

    Impact Of Volcanic Activity

    Volcanic activity reshapes the Earth's surface, creating landforms and impacting soil fertility.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5

    Erosion And Its Role In Shaping The Earth’s Surface

    Erosion is the process of wearing away rocks, soil, and other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces or human activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.1

    What Is Erosion?

    Erosion is the process of wearing away rocks, soil, and other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces or human activity.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.2

    Types Of Erosion

    This section explains the different types of erosion and their impact on the Earth's landscapes.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.2.1

    Water Erosion

    Water erosion involves the process through which water removes soil, rock, and sediment from the Earth's surface and reshapes landforms.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.2.2

    Wind Erosion

    Wind erosion is the process by which wind removes soil, sand, and other particles from the Earth's surface, shaping the landscape particularly in arid regions.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.2.3

    Glacial Erosion

    Glacial erosion is a significant geological process where glaciers shape the Earth's landscape through their movement.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.5.3

    Impact Of Erosion On Landforms

    Erosion significantly alters landforms through processes driven by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice, shaping the Earth's surface over time.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6

    Weathering And Soil Formation

    Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles, essential for soil formation.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.1

    What Is Weathering?

    Weathering is the natural process of breaking down rocks through environmental factors.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.2

    Types Of Weathering

    Weathering is the process through which rocks break down into smaller particles due to environmental factors.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.2.1

    Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

    Mechanical weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles without altering their chemical composition.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.2.2

    Chemical Weathering

    Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions, altering their composition and structure.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.2.3

    Biological Weathering

    Biological weathering is the process through which living organisms contribute to the breakdown of rocks, facilitating soil formation.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.6.3

    Soil Formation

    Soil formation is the process through which rocks break down and organic material accumulates, leading to the creation of fertile soil that supports plant life.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7

    Deposition And Landforms

    Deposition is the process of sediment accumulation from natural forces, shaping various landforms.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.1

    What Is Deposition?

    Deposition is the process of depositing sediments, soil, and rocks in new locations after being transported by natural forces such as wind, water, or ice.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.2

    Types Of Depositional Landforms

    Depositional landforms are formed by the accumulation of sediments, resulting from natural processes like water, wind, and ice.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.2.1

    River Deltas

    River deltas are landforms created by the deposition of sediment where a river meets a body of water.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.2.2

    Coastal Landforms

    Coastal landforms are features created by the deposition and erosion of sediments along coastlines.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.2.3

    Glacial Deposition

    Glacial deposition involves the accumulation of sediments deposited by glaciers as they melt.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.7.3

    Impact Of Deposition

    Deposition is the process of accumulating sediments and materials in new locations, significantly contributing to landform creation.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.8

    Human Impact On The Earth’s Surface

    This section discusses the various ways human activities are altering the Earth's surface, including urbanization, deforestation, mining, and climate change.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.8.1

    Urbanization

    Urbanization significantly alters the Earth's surface through human-made structures and infrastructure development.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.8.2

    Deforestation

    Deforestation is the clearing of forests for various human activities, adversely impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.8.3

    Mining And Resource Extraction

    Mining and resource extraction significantly alter the Earth's landscape, leading to deforestation, soil degradation, and the creation of new landforms.

    Learning Practice

  • 3.8.4

    Climate Change

    Climate change refers to the alterations in global weather patterns, largely driven by human activities.

    Learning Practice

References

g11-3.pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • The changing face of the Ea...
  • Endogenic forces include te...
  • Human activities significan...

Final Test

Revision Tests

Chapter FAQs