Lecture Notes on Endogenic and Exogenic Forces

Endogenic Forces

Endogenic forces are crustal forces originating from within the Earth that cause horizontal (side to side) and vertical (up and down) movements.

Vertical Movements

• Uplift: Forces that push land upwards.
• Subsidence: Forces that cause land to collapse downwards.

Horizontal Movements

• Folding:
  • Caused by endogenic forces pushing on land.
  • Occurs in malleable rock.
  • Stress pushes horizontally, creating landforms like mountain ranges or hills.
• Faulting:
  • Occurs when land masses push together, and one slips.
  • Causes earthquakes.

Endogenic forces move the Earth's crust up and down or side to side.

Exogenic

Forces that build onto something. For example, mountain building, which is called orogenic.

Tension and Compression Forces

• Earth is dynamic and constantly moving.
• Tension forces: Land is pulled apart (e.g., the Great African Rift Valley in East Africa).
• Compression forces: Occur opposite to tension forces.

Weathering and Erosion (Exogenic Forces)

• Caused by external forces like ice, wind, and water.
• Erode the surface of the Earth.