Classifying landforms and landform development

Primary landforms Large masses of rock raised by the forces beneath the earth’s surface.

Secondary landforms Landforms that develop from primary landforms due to erosion.

Primary and secondary ex. Surtsey – island near Iceland –Creation of it is a primary landform –The ocean waves hitting the island and creating smooth rock and beaches is a secondary landform.

Classifying landforms Three different categories.

1.) made of rock and slowly erodes –Plains, valleys and plateaus

2.) sediment deposited by: –Water – a floodplain* or a delta* –Wind – a sand dune –ice

3.) Created by tectonic activity –Greek word for “builder” –Mountains and steep, rigid valleys Himalayas and Death Valley

Results of sediment deposits Floodplain – level ground built by the silt of a flooded river or stream. –Nile River Valley Delta- island at the mouth of a river created by sediment.