This image shows the topography, or shape, of the Earth's surface, on land and below the oceans. Mountain ranges, subduction trenches, tectonic plates, and mid-ocean ridges are all visible in the image.
Click on image for full size
Image from: U.S. Geological Survey
Surface Features of the Earth
This image of the surface of the Earth shows the North and South American continents, as well as the floor of the Pacific Ocean. As can be seen in the image, the ocean floor shows evidence of
The continental regions show evidence of
(Click on the image to see labeled examples of these features.)
These things provide evidence that, unlike
other planets, the surface of the Earth is in motion. Motion of the Earth's surface is called
plate tectonics.
Compare this active surface with that of Venus, Mars, or Europa.
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This very special issue of The Earth Scientist (our biggest ever!) is sponsored by the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Ocean Research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and is focused on the world’s oceans.
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