Rapid Changes to the Earth's Surface

Rapid Changes to Earth's Surface

3.7B(S) investigate rapid changes in Earth’s surface such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides

landslide

sudden collapse of land causing a rapid change to Earth's surface

volcanic eruption

the release of material, such as lava

tsunami

series of waves caused by earthquakes or undersea volcanic eruptions

flood

flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry

hurricane

large rotating storm with high speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical areas

earthquake

a sudden tremor or Earth's surface caused by movement of the crust and mantle

plate tectonics

Tectonic plates are pieces of land that connect together on the Earth's outer shell. You can think of them like a giant round puzzle that cover Earth underneath the ground.

Layers of the Earth

The structure of the earth is divided into four major components: the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core.

 Some changes are fast and immediately observable, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, tsunamis, hurricanes and landslides.

Remember, there are also slow changes to Earth's surface.

Multiple Choice

A volcano is –

• A. when heavy rainfall causes large amounts of soil to be moved

• B. when there is a break in the Earth’s crust and molten rock comes to the surface

• C. when there is violent shaking of the Earth’s crust

Multiple Choice

What is the uppermost part of the Earth’s surface called?

• A. Mantle

• B. Crust

• C. Topsoil

• D. Outer core

Multiple Choice

All of the following cause rapid changes to the Earth’s surface EXCEPT –

• A. landslide

• B. erosion

• C. tornado

• D. earthquake

Multiple Choice

What is an earthquake?

• A. Giant ocean waves that can travel as fast as 800 kilometers per hour

• B. An opening in the Earth’s crust that allows molten rock to come to the surface

• C. A sudden violent shaking of the ground caused by movements in the Earth’s crust

Multiple Choice

The Hawaiian Islands were formed and continue to grow under the ocean surface. Which natural occurrences formed the Hawaiian Islands.

• A. earthquakes

• B. landslides

• C. underwater volcanoes

• D. hurricanes

Multiple Choice

This town has seen an extreme amont of rain over the last couple of days. People living in this area should watch out for what?

• A. hurricanes

• B. earthquakes

• C. volcanoes

• D. landslides

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a benefit from volcanic activity?

• A. farmland and crops are destroyed

• B. new land masses and islands are formed

• C. roads are buried by flowing lava

Multiple Choice

Most earthquakes happen along –

• A. the shorelines of oceans

• B. the borders of countries

• C. the borders of tectonic plates

Multiple Choice

Earthquakes can cause all of the following changes to the Earth’s surface except –

• A. large cracks

• B. tornadoes

• C. landslides

• D. tsunamis

Multiple Choice

All of the following can be triggered by a volcanic eruption except –

• A. tsunamis

• B. landslides

• C. hurricanes

• D. forest fires

Multiple Choice

The diagram below shows the major tectonic plates of the world with several of the larger plates labeled. Why do most earthquakes occur along the borders of the tectonic plates?

• A. The plates are moving

• B. The plates separate

• C. The plates bump

• D. All of the above