Earth Earth Interior Interior structure known from seismic wave studies and composition of surface rocks.
Detailed structure is given in the plate tectonics notes.
Surface The Earth is the only planet whose surface has been studied in great detail, so the processes and principles that apply to the surface of the Earth will be the ones we invoke when we study other planets. See Hutton in your history notes for an explanation. Two basic processes that shape the Earth's surface are orogeny and erosion . Orogeny is the process of mountain-building, or raising elevation. It can be caused by tectonic forces, or by meteorite impact.