A Different World

How Natural and Human Events Have Changed the

Surface of the Earth

What Do You Mean?• The surface of the

Earth is ALWAYS changing…….HOW??

Natural Forces Like….• Wind• Water• Earthquakes• Volcanoes• What Other

Natural Events Can You Think Of????

•

Human Activities Like…..• Mining• Building Dams• Irrigation• Deforestation• Farming Practices

like terracing• Urban

Development

•

How Do We Know The Earth’s Surface Has

Changed???

Science and Innovation• Remotely Sensed

Images– Aerial Photos– Satellite Images

                                                  

What Changes Can You Recognize in These

Images?• Aral Sea, Kazakhstan • New Orleans, Before (bottom) and After (top) Hurricane Katrina

Aral Sea

What is Going on Here??• • Deforestation in

Brazil• Red=rainforest• Grey=deforested

lands (now used for cattle ranching and soy bean crops)

• Can you see the Amazon River in these images??

So What Do You Think?How do these changes IMPACT

the EARTH??•

Some Things to Think About…

• The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity

• Center-point irrigation allows farmers to grow crops that the natural environment could not support

• Water and wind erosion helped form the Grand Canyon and thousands of other beautiful earth features

A Few More Things to Consider……

• • Humans have depleted hundreds of natural water sources

• Mountaintops have been removed so miners can reach inside mineral rich mountains

• Hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes have drastically changed some landscapes, forever altering the surface of the Earth

Activity Time!!!!!Step 1: Choose one

area in the Western Hemisphere where either human or natural activities has changed the surface of the Earth

Step 2: Research this area, find some aerial and/or satellite images to visually show your research

Step 3: Create a powerpoint and be prepared to present your research to the class

Step 4: Write a short (2 page) essay, discussing why you chose this area, analyze how and why this change occurred, and how, in your opinion, this change impacted both the planet and the people on it