What are Landforms? TSW- Identify and compare different landforms TSW- Recognize how landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes are the result of changes to Earth’s surface by wind, water, and ice

What are landforms? Landforms are the natural structures or features on Earth’s surface. There are many different types of landforms found on the Earth.

Landforms are the natural structures or features on Earth’s surface.

Changes to landforms Many of the changes on Earth’s surface are the result of weathering, erosion and deposition. Earth’s surface is constantly exposed to wind, water and ice which cause changes to landforms.

mountain A mountain is a place on Earth’s surface that is much higher than the land around it.

hill A hill is land that rises above the land around it. A hill has a rounded top.

Changes over time Over a long period of time, weathering will cause mountains to gradually become hills. This weathering is caused by wind, water and ice Wind, water, and ice slowly wear away the rock and make the mountain peaks more rounded.

erosion Erosion occurs when wind, water, or ice carry small pieces of dirt or rock away from one area to another.

valley                                            A valley is a lowland area between higher lands such as mountains.                

Valleys are cut by water and ice Over very long periods of time, rivers and glaciers cut a path across the Earth leaving behind valleys between mountain peaks.                                                           

canyon A canyon is a deep valley with very steep sides.                                                         

canyon Running water slowly wears away rock leaving the deep grooves of a canyon behind.                                                         

plain A plain is a flat area on Earth’s surface.

plain A plain is formed when the rock making up the land gradually is worn away by weathering. Wind and water cause this weathering.

plateau A plateau is a flat area higher than the land around it.

Formation of a plateau A plateau is a formed when moving water and wind erode a part of a mountain leaving behind some of the rock.

sand dune A sand dune is shaped by blowing winds.

Ice wedging Water can freeze in cracks of rock and cause the rock to break. This is a form of weathering.

deposition Deposition occurs when particles or sediment are left behind in a new place.

deltas A delta is a usually triangular shaped deposit of sediments at the mouth of a river.

deltas As a river loses energy, it drops dirt and sediment to create a delta. This area creates rich farm land.

caves A cave is formed when water dissolves rock (usually limestone) and leaves behind an open area underground.

weathering Weathering is the breaking down of rock on the surface of the earth, usually by the force of water, wind, or ice.

Changing Earth The face of the Earth is always changing! Wind, water and ice create landforms on Earth’s surface and cause these changes through weathering, erosion and deposition.