Unit 5 Vocabulary

Alfred Wegner’s explanation of continents slowly moving and changing their positions relative to one another

• Continental drift theory
• Topography
• Topographic maps
• Plate tectonic theory

difference in elevation between any two contour lines on a topographic map

• Contour intervals
• Continental drift theory
• Topography
• Topographic maps

map symbol showing shape and / or change in elevation on a topographic map

• Contour lines
• Contour intervals
• Continental drift theory
• Topography

the outer most layer of the Earth (lithosphere) is divided into contiguous sections (plates) that move relative to each other causing continental drift, seafloor spreading, and the formation of major physical features of the Earth’s surface

• Plate tectonic theory
• Contour lines
• Contour intervals
• Continental drift theory

map showing the shape and elevation of the land surface using contour lines

• Topographic maps
• Plate tectonic theory
• Contour lines
• Contour intervals

the shape of the Earth’s surface and the way its physical features are arranged, especially in terms of their positions and elevations

• Topography
• Topographic maps
• Plate tectonic theory
• Contour lines