Rocks and Fossils
What are the three main types of rocks?
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
What is weathering?
The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces
what is a landform?
A natural feature on Earth’s surface
What is the Earth’s outermost layer called?
the crust
What is one slow change to Earth’s surface?
Erosion or Weathering
How is an igneous rock formed?
From cooled and hardened magma or lava
what is erosion
The movement of rock and soil from one place to another
Name one example of a landform.
Mountain, valley, hill, plain, island, or plateau
What are tectonic plates?
Huge slabs of Earth’s crust that move slowly
What is one fast change to Earth’s surface?
Earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, hurricanes, blizzards, tsunamis
How is a sedimentary rock formed?
Layers of sediment are pressed and cemented together over time
What is one cause of weathering?
Wind, water, ice, or plant roots
What landform is formed when magma builds up under the Earth’s surface and erupts?
A volcano
What happens when two tectonic plates push against each other?
Mountains form or earthquakes occur
How can humans cause fast changes to Earth’s surface?
Building, mining, or cutting down forests
What can fossils tell us about Earth’s past?
They show what plants and animals lived long ago and what the environment was like
How is erosion different from weathering?
Weathering breaks down rock; erosion moves it
what is a body of water?
A natural area filled with water like a lake, river, or ocean
What causes tectonic plates to move?
Heat and pressure from Earth’s mantle
How can a volcanic eruption change the land?
It can form new land or destroy old land
Name 2 types of fossils
mold, cast, body/true form, or trace
Name a landform created by erosion over time.
Canyons, valleys, riverbanks, or cliffs
How can rivers change landforms over time?
They erode rock and soil, creating valleys or canyons
What are the three ways tectonic plates can move?
They can move apart (diverge), push together (converge), or slide past each other (transform)
Why are some changes to Earth’s surface helpful and others harmful?
Some create new land or soil, others cause damage or loss of life