The four planets that make up the terrestrial planets are commonly known to us as Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars (Kay, 2013, p. 216). The reason that terrestrial planets are grouped separately from the rest of the solar system is because they are all structured very similarly and all have surfaces most like that of the planet Earth. Another aspect that separates these four planets from all others is the fact that they are all located the closest to the Sun. Terrestrial planets can be easily identified in the solar system because they are much smaller in size compared to the planets around them. Scientists have discovered that there are four main processes that shape the terrestrial planets. These processes that are always in motion to change
…show more content…
Scientific studies have shown that Mercury has traces of life to be present at one point in time, which makes this the only planet that is most like Earth. Venus is the second terrestrial planet which has a very thick atmosphere making it the hottest planet over all (Gammon, 2015). Earth is in fact the largest of the terrestrial planets and experiences regular climate changes, with full existence of human life and natural resources. Last but not least, Mars is the terrestrial planet that contains the largest mountain, it not as dense as the other planets, and it possesses a rather old surface that includes many craters (Gammon, 2015). The four terrestrial planets all share some of the same characteristics but are still made up of its own individual qualities that show variation from planet to planet. All planets are shaped and formed somehow, and scientific studies have provided us with four of the main processes that shape the terrestrial …show more content…
“Tectonism is the deformation of Earth’s crust that results in folds and breaks in the crust. It forms mountain ranges, valleys, and deep ocean trenches, and causes earthquakes to occur” (Kay, 2013, p. 217). Plate tectonic is a term that is often discussed in relation to the formation of the Earth. The theory of plate tectonics is well known to society as the Earth being formed by the constant shifting of plates throughout the surface. “Tectonism is a very slow process that is drawn out over millions of years. It is caused by the loss of heat and as the terrestrial planets cool down, they form a strong outer layer. The continuous movement of the heated material on the interior of the planet is what causes the surface to deform” (Tectonism,
Scientific studies have shown that Mercury has traces of life to be present at one point in time, which makes this the only planet that is most like Earth. Venus is the second terrestrial planet which has a very thick atmosphere making it the hottest planet over all (Gammon, 2015). Earth is in fact the largest of the terrestrial planets and experiences regular climate changes, with full existence of human life and natural resources. Last but not least, Mars is the terrestrial planet that contains the largest mountain, it not as dense as the other planets, and it possesses a rather old surface that includes many craters (Gammon, 2015). The four terrestrial planets all share some of the same characteristics but are still made up of its own individual qualities that show variation from planet to planet. All planets are shaped and formed somehow, and scientific studies have provided us with four of the main processes that shape the terrestrial …show more content…
“Tectonism is the deformation of Earth’s crust that results in folds and breaks in the crust. It forms mountain ranges, valleys, and deep ocean trenches, and causes earthquakes to occur” (Kay, 2013, p. 217). Plate tectonic is a term that is often discussed in relation to the formation of the Earth. The theory of plate tectonics is well known to society as the Earth being formed by the constant shifting of plates throughout the surface. “Tectonism is a very slow process that is drawn out over millions of years. It is caused by the loss of heat and as the terrestrial planets cool down, they form a strong outer layer. The continuous movement of the heated material on the interior of the planet is what causes the surface to deform” (Tectonism,