RESTLESS EARTH

Geography UNIT 1A - The Restless Earth-Two types of tectonic plates: -Oceanic: thinner but more dense -Continental: Thicker but less dense-The plates move due to the mantle underneath moving-Where two plates meet, this is what we call a plate boundary: -Destructive: two plates moving towards each other e.g. The Himalayas or along east coast of Japan (Fold mountains or ocean trenches and volcanoes) -Constructive: two plates moving away from each other e.g. The mid-Atlantic ridge -Conservative: two plates moving sideways at different speeds e.g. San Andreas fault line-How people use fold mountains: -Farming: higher land for animal grazing e.g. mountain goats. And lower land for crops -Hydro-electric power -Mining: metal ores are found in fold mountains. -Forestry: a good environment to grow some types of trees e.g. conifers -Tourism: Scenery, skiing/snowboarding, walkers. Roads have been craved into some mountains - this also improves communications. FOLD MOUNTAINS CASE STUDY: The Alps-Farming: -Goats producing milk/cheese/meat. -Sunnier slopes have been terraced and turned into vineyards e.g. Lavaux, Switzerland.-Hydro-electric power: -Narrow valleys are dammed to generate power e.g. Berne, Switzerland.-Tourism: -100 million tourists each year. -70% go skiing/snowboarding. -New villages produced to cater for tourists e.g. Tignes, France.