Introduction to Earth Processes8SCIENCE: Mon. April 4, 2011

What are Earth Processes?

• Forces within the earth• How earthquakes and volcanoes are related to

movements inside the earth– Both release great amounts of energy

that can have effects on the Earth’s surface

• Both can have devastating effects– Most recently in seen in Japan

Earthquakes

• Rocks move and break along surfaces called faults

• Vibrations caused by rocks breaking along faults

• Usually results from plates (large pieces of the Earth) that are moving under, over or past each other

Volcanoes

• Opening in Earth’s surface – Can form a mountain

when layers of ash and lava build up

• Are found where plates (large pieces of the Earth) are moving apart or together or at hot spots

• Most of Earth’s volcanoes are not active