Knowra Land (terrain) Land (terrain) Land is the solid surface of Earth, distinguished from oceans and the atmosphere. It includes continents, islands, and exposed ground shaped by geological and surface processes.
Continental crust : The relatively thick, low-density crust that underlies most continents and their shallow margins. It forms much of the solid surface rising above ocean basins.
Plate tectonics : The theory that Earth’s lithosphere is divided into moving plates whose interactions shape the planet. Plate motion builds continents, raises mountains, and opens ocean basins.
Topographic map : A map that represents terrain, commonly with contour lines showing elevation. Topographic maps make the shape and steepness of land legible for planning.
Ocean : A vast, interconnected body of salt water covering most of Earth’s surface. Ocean basins are the principal counterpart to exposed land at Earth’s surface.
Soil : A surface layer of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and organisms formed through weathering and biological activity. Soil covers large areas of land and supports terrestrial ecosystems.
Weathering : The physical, chemical, or biological breakdown of rock at or near Earth’s surface. Weathering produces loose material that changes land surfaces and helps form soil.
Land use : The human purpose or activity assigned to a particular area of land. Farming, settlement, conservation, and extraction depend on land’s characteristics.
Atmosphere : The layer of gases surrounding Earth and held by its gravity. The atmosphere overlies land, while land is the solid surface beneath it.
Landform : A recognizable natural feature of Earth’s surface, such as a valley, plateau, or dune. Land is organized into landforms by tectonic, erosional, and depositional processes.
Erosion : The removal and transport of rock or soil by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Erosion lowers and redistributes land, carving valleys and reshaping coasts.
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