FORCES THAT AFFECT THE EARTH

FORCES THAT AFFECT THE EARTH FROM WITHIN INTERNAL FORCES

The crust of the earth consists of the solid rocks, it subjected to internal forces which cause the earth to move either vertically or horizontally.

The movement can be quite or violent and result in the formation of different physical features.

CAUSES OF THE EARTH MOVEMENT WITHIN THE EARTH’S SURFACE.

i.                     Different in temperature within the earth.

ii.                   Different in density.

iii.                  Chemical composition of rock.

TYPES OF FORCES

There are three types of forces within the earth’s crust.

1.      COMPRESSIONAL FORCE

Is when the pieces of the earth’s crust move towards each other (converging) and this may result into folding of the earth’s crust that result into  the formation of Plateaus and Basins  example, Lake Victoria Basin,  Congo Basin, Chad Basin, Bolivia Plateau, Tibetan Plateau etc.

Effect of vertical feature in environment.

i.                     Moderation of climate

ii.                   Change of relief

iii.                  Mineral exploitation (deposition)

iv.                 Soil PH.

2.      TENSIONAL FORCE

This is the type of force where by the pieces of the earth’s crust move apart each other (Divergence), this process may result into the fracturing of the earth’s crust hence the formation of the faulting.

3.      SHEAR FORCE.

This is the force that causes the movement between two plates, the two plates slide past one another along a single fault or parallel fault; this can lead to the earthquake.

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