Earth Science
Constructive and Destructive Forces
STANDARDS
S5E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to identify surface features on the Earth caused by constructive and/or destructive processes. a. Construct an argument supported by scientific evidence to identify surface features (examples could include deltas, sand dunes, mountains, volcanoes) as being caused by constructive and/or destructive processes (examples could include deposition, weathering, erosion, and impact of organisms). b. Develop simple interactive models to collect data that illustrate how changes in surface features are/were caused by constructive and/or destructive processes. c. Ask questions to obtain information on how technology is used to limit and/or predict the impact of constructive and destructive processes. (Clarification statement: Examples could include seismological studies, flood forecasting (GIS maps), engineering/construction methods and materials, and infrared/satellite imagery.) |
TSW identify surface features caused by constructive features
--Deposition (deltas, sand dunes, etc) --Earthquakes --Volcanoes --Faults TSW identify and find examples of surface features caused by destructive processes. --Erosion (water--rivers and oceans, wind) --Weathering --Impact of organisms --Earthquakes --Volcanoes TSW relate the role of technology and human intervention in the control of constructive and destructive processes. --Seismological studies --Flood Control (dams, levees, storm drain management etc.) --Beach Reclamation (Georgia coastal Islands) |
Constructive and Destructive Processes
Our Earth is ever changing. Some of these changes, like the creation of the Grand Canyon, take millions of years to happen, and some of them are catastrophic changes that occur in seconds. These changes to our Earth can be categorized as either constructive forces or destructive forces.
The natural forces on the Earth can be categorized into two sections: constructive and destructive. Constructive forces are those that work to build or create new formations. Destructive forces, as the name implies, destroy or tear down existing formations. Some forces qualify as both a constructive and destructive, in that they harm the existing landscape while simultaneously creating a new one. Common constructive and destructive forces include volcanoes, erosion, weathering and deposition, and many others.
Slow Constructive Forces
Constructive Earth processes are changes that add to the surface of the Earth, and some of them take millions of years to occur. The Hawaiian Islands are a great example of a slow constructive change. These islands have formed over millions of years due to a hot spot volcano. This type of volcano forms over an area in the Earth's crust where the crust is very thin and lava consistently makes its way to the surface. Each year the island that is currently over the hot spot (Hawaii) adds new land. There is even another island being formed that should reach above the surface of the ocean in 10,000 to 100,000 more years. Another example of a slow constructive force is the deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river. Water carries sediment down river and as the river becomes more shallow, the sediment is deposited, forming landforms such as deltas. Mountains are also an example of a slow constructive force due to two tectonic plates being pushed into each other.
Quick Constructive Forces
Some changes to the Earth take place in a matter of seconds instead of millions of years. The main quick constructive force is a volcano. A volcano that erupts violently can send lava and ash shooting out within seconds. When that lava cools, it hardens into new rock.
Slow Destructive Forces
Destructive forces break down land. The two main forces that break down land slowly are weathering and erosion. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks due to forces such as wind and water. The pieces of rock are then moved elsewhere through the process of erosion. Weathering and erosion take millions of years to have an effect on the Earth, but those effects can be dramatic. The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in Arizona are excellent examples of weathering and erosion.
Quick Destructive Forces
Quick destructive forces are forces such as earthquakes and tsunamis that can change the surface of our Earth in seconds. Tsunamis can flatten the Earth and erase hills. A tsunami will take thousands of feet of Earth and drag it back to the ocean floor. Earthquakes can cause the Earth to crack, causing sinkholes or other such phenomena. Quick destructive forces can also be things like landslides. Whole mountain sides can move to the base of a mountain in a matter of seconds.
Source: https://sciencing.com/difference-constructive-destructive-earth-processes-8630741.html
The natural forces on the Earth can be categorized into two sections: constructive and destructive. Constructive forces are those that work to build or create new formations. Destructive forces, as the name implies, destroy or tear down existing formations. Some forces qualify as both a constructive and destructive, in that they harm the existing landscape while simultaneously creating a new one. Common constructive and destructive forces include volcanoes, erosion, weathering and deposition, and many others.
Slow Constructive Forces
Constructive Earth processes are changes that add to the surface of the Earth, and some of them take millions of years to occur. The Hawaiian Islands are a great example of a slow constructive change. These islands have formed over millions of years due to a hot spot volcano. This type of volcano forms over an area in the Earth's crust where the crust is very thin and lava consistently makes its way to the surface. Each year the island that is currently over the hot spot (Hawaii) adds new land. There is even another island being formed that should reach above the surface of the ocean in 10,000 to 100,000 more years. Another example of a slow constructive force is the deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river. Water carries sediment down river and as the river becomes more shallow, the sediment is deposited, forming landforms such as deltas. Mountains are also an example of a slow constructive force due to two tectonic plates being pushed into each other.
Quick Constructive Forces
Some changes to the Earth take place in a matter of seconds instead of millions of years. The main quick constructive force is a volcano. A volcano that erupts violently can send lava and ash shooting out within seconds. When that lava cools, it hardens into new rock.
Slow Destructive Forces
Destructive forces break down land. The two main forces that break down land slowly are weathering and erosion. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks due to forces such as wind and water. The pieces of rock are then moved elsewhere through the process of erosion. Weathering and erosion take millions of years to have an effect on the Earth, but those effects can be dramatic. The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in Arizona are excellent examples of weathering and erosion.
Quick Destructive Forces
Quick destructive forces are forces such as earthquakes and tsunamis that can change the surface of our Earth in seconds. Tsunamis can flatten the Earth and erase hills. A tsunami will take thousands of feet of Earth and drag it back to the ocean floor. Earthquakes can cause the Earth to crack, causing sinkholes or other such phenomena. Quick destructive forces can also be things like landslides. Whole mountain sides can move to the base of a mountain in a matter of seconds.
Source: https://sciencing.com/difference-constructive-destructive-earth-processes-8630741.html
Erosion All Around Us!
What is Erosion? Erosion is wearing away of the land by forces as water, wind, and ice. Erosion helps to form many interesting features of the Earth's surface including mountain peaks, valleys, and coastlines. What causes erosion? There are many differ forces that causes erosion. It all depends on the type of force, erosion can happen quickly or it can take THOUSANDS of years. Three main forces cause erosion are WATER, WIND, and ICE. There is evidence of erosion all around us everyday of our lives. Even here at our very own school! Erosion helps to form many interesting features of the Earth's surface including mountain peaks, valleys, and coastlines. Glaciers & Erosion Glaciers form in areas that area always covered by snow. Every year more snow falls than melts, creating a build up of snow. When the snow builds up the snow on top creates a lot of pressure on the snow underneath which causes it to form into solid ice. How Do Glaciers Move The weight of the layers of ice and snow push down on the lower layers of the glacier. The weight causes the ice to melt and refreeze. As this happens the ice slips over each other, and the glacier moves. As glaciers move down the mountain they carve characteristic called a U-shape Valley. |
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