Review
In a rushing river, rocks banged and bumped against each other in the moving water. Small pieces of rock broke off as the rocks hit against each other. This is an example of the —
weathering of nonliving materials
What is decomposition?
Decomposition is the breaking down of the remains of dead plants and animals.
What best describes the actions of a landslide?
A layer of Earth’s surface suddenly and rapidly moves downhill
What is soil made of?
Soil is made of broken down rocks and decomposing plant and animal parts.
Students observed soil samples and recorded their observations.
• The soil is wet.
• The soil has pieces of small, brown rocks.
• The soil has pieces of small, black rocks.
• The soil has tiny, white pieces of bone.
• The soil has long, brown pieces of leaves
What can be determined from these observations?
There is evidence of animal decomposition in the soil.
What is weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks.
What most likely caused the tree to uproot after a hurricane hit an area in Southern Texas?
High Winds
How long does soil take to form?
Soil takes many years to form.
What can change the Earth's surface by heavy rain?
landslides, overflowing rivers, flooding
Would you expect to find the same soil in a desert and a rain forest?
No, soils are different in different areas.
How did shaking the rocks cause them to break down?
The shaking of the rocks caused them to break down because the rocks kept hitting each other. Each hit caused small pieces to break off.
How do plants and animals become part of soil?
Plants grow in soil and decompose there when they die. When animals die on the soil, they are also decomposed. The remains get mixed in with the rocks and sediment by wind and water
Ice can break down rocks into smaller pieces. How does this process help lead to the formation of soil?
The rock is weathering into smaller pieces.
What do you think the decomposing organic material provides for the soil?
The decomposing organic material provides the soil with nutrients.
What can cause weathering?
Wind, water, waves, and ice can cause weathering of rocks.
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake happens when the tectonic plates under Earths surface bump into or rub against each other.
What change to the Earth’s surface would likely result from a hurricane?
Strong waves rapidly reshape the coastline.
What is a volcanic eruption?
A volcanic eruption happens when lava spills out of a volcano
What is the purpose of mushrooms in the formation of soil?
Decomposition of plant and animal remains
What is a landslide?
A landslide happens when higher land breaks away and slides down.
soil formation is most likely caused by?
weathering of rock from wind and rain
How does a landslide change the land?
It changes the shape of the land where it slid down from. It can destroy plants and trees and build up new land when the landslide is over.
How does a volcanic eruption change the land?
A volcanic eruption builds up new land when the lava hardens. It also destroys plants and trees during the eruption.
How does an earthquake change the land?
An earthquake breaks rocks, can split open the ground and can cause plants and trees to be uprooted.
An earthquake may cause all of the following
landslides, tsunamis, road damage