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The weathering and erosion of surface materials by water, wind, ice, and gravity will slowly change the Earth's surface. On a geologic time scale, tectonic forces created by the dissipation of heat from Earth's interior, will cause the movement of huge slabs of rock (plates) to separate, collide, or grind past one another, causing volcanoes, mountains, and the creation and destruction of Earth surfaces. Sunlight, it might be added, creates the surface heat necessary for weathering and erosion over time. The location of the planetary orbit and tidal forces also can have a slow, imperceptible effect.
The effects of floods, development by mankind, and meteor impacts would be considered rapidly occurring changes to the Earth's surface.
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DevinErosion by wind, water, and glaciers, as well as weathering processes like freezing and thawing, contribute to slowly changing the Earth's surface over time. Tectonic plate movements also play a significant role in shaping the Earth's surface by causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains.
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What is the part of the earths surface and atmosphere inhabited by living things?
The biosphere is the part of Earth's surface and atmosphere where living organisms exist. It includes all ecosystems and living organisms, from the depths of the ocean to high in the mountains.
What three things can happen to the radiation that earths receives from the sun?
The radiation that Earth receives from the sun can be absorbed by the atmosphere, reflected back into space, or absorbed by the Earth's surface and converted into heat energy.
What is the difference between primary waves and surface waves?
Primary waves (P-waves) are body waves that travel through the interior of the Earth and are the fastest seismic waves. Surface waves, on the other hand, travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for most of the shaking and damage during an earthquake. Surface waves have larger amplitudes and longer wavelengths compared to P-waves.
What could this change in the land surface indicate?
Changes in the land surface could indicate various things such as natural erosion, shifting land use patterns, climate change effects, or human activities like deforestation or urbanization. Further investigation is needed to determine the specific cause and potential impacts of the change.
What do weathering erosion and deposition do to the earths surface?
Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces, erosion transports these pieces to new locations by water, wind, or glaciers, and deposition drops these pieces in new locations, shaping the Earth's surface over time.
