This may seem like a silly question because we can see changes all around us. But, on what scale do they occur? How much change has there been? Are mountains where there have always been mountains? Are oceans where there were always oceans? Historically speaking these were very important questions and lie at the heart of the conflict between creationists who view the Earth as fixed and unchanging and scientists who recognize that change is everywhere and who through their work try improve our understanding of how and why change happens.
 
 

I. The nature of the question

A. 4004 BC

 

B. Plate Tectonic View of the World

 

II. Some basic principles

A. First law of thermodynamics

 

B. Systems tend to change to reduce potential energy

 

C. Erosion and deposition

 

III. Some basic data -- the hypsographic curve

E

L

E

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A

T

I

O

N
 

% of Earth's surface with elevation greater than "Y"

IV. Conclusion

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