Rapid Changes
What is an opening in the Earth's crust that erupts lava?
Volcano
What is the process of rocks breaking down into smaller pieces?
Weathering
Which agents of change are responsible for picking up sediment?
Moving water, wind, or ice
What is it called when sediment is dropped in a new place?
Deposition
What is a deep valley with steep sides carved by a river?
Canyon
What is a sudden shaking of the ground called?
Earthquake
True or False: Weathering happens faster than a volcano.
False (Weathering is very slow)
What is the name for loose sand, soil, and tiny pieces of rock?
Sediment
How does wind create a sand dune?
The wind slows down and drops the sand grains in a pile.
What landform is created at the mouth of a river by deposition?
Delta
What is a large mass of soil and rock sliding down a slope?
Landslide
What plant-based action can slowly break rocks apart?
Plant roots (growing into cracks)
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering breaks the rock; Erosion moves the rock pieces.
Which force usually deposits sediment at the bottom of a river?
gravity
What is a large pile of sand built up by wind?
Sand Dune
Which rapid change is caused by plates shifting suddenly?
Earthquake (or Tectonic plate movement)
How does ice/freezing water act as a weathering agent?
Frost wedging (water freezes, expands, and splits the rock)
How do tree roots cause weathering?
They grow into cracks and pry the rock apart as they get bigger.
Why does a river deposit sediment when it slows down?
It no longer has enough energy to carry the weight of the sediment.
Explain how a canyon is formed through the process of erosion.
A river flows over a long period, eroding the rock and carrying the pieces away, making the valley deeper and deeper.
Name three natural disasters that change the Earth's surface rapidly.
Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Landslides
How can flowing water slowly change the shape of a rock over time?
It breaks off and carries away tiny particles over time (abrasion/smoothing)
Why is water considered the #1 cause of erosion?
Why is water considered the #1 cause of erosion?
What happens to sediment when the energy of water or wind decreases?
The material is "deposited" or settles because the carrying force is too weak to keep it moving.
How is a canyon different from a delta?
Canyons are carved by erosion (removing material); Deltas are built by deposition (adding material).