Earth Changes Study Guide

The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River. It is one mile deep, about 215 miles long and about 18 miles wide at its widest point. It is one of the Nation’s most beautiful landforms.

What claim (answer) below best describes how the canyon got its width of 18 miles?

• Rain and wind weathered the sides of the mountain, it was eroded then gravity pulled it down and it was carried downstream.

• Plants and rain weathered the sides of the mountain, it was eroded then gravity pulled it down and it was carried downstream.

• Ice and rain weathered the sides of the mountain, it was eroded then gravity pulled it down and it was carried downstream.

Where are the oldest rocks of the Grand Canyon?

• At the top of the mountain

• Where the darker rocks are located

• At the bottom of the mountain near the river

It has been raining heavily for several days. Select the 3 that apply.

Which processes will most likely happen?

• Erosion

• Deposition

• Weathering

• Earthquake

A scientist studies a river on a shallow slope and a river on a very steep slope.

Which river will likely have more smooth, round rocks in its bed?

• The river on the steep slope because the river flows faster.

• The river on the shallow slope because the river flows faster.

This rock has broken apart due to a force.

What force weathered this large boulder?

• Ice deposited the rocks in a new place.

• Water in a crack froze and thawed causing the rock to push apart.

• Rocks melt together to form new rock.

Erosion can change the Earth by creating landforms. There are different forces that cause erosion. One type of erosion is wind erosion.

Which TWO landforms below are formed by wind erosion?

• 
• 
• 

Earth’s surface changes quickly and slowly. There are many forces that can make these changes occur.

Which of the following are responsible for the breakdown of Earth’s land surface?

• running water, wind, and ice

• wind, standing water and wind

• waves, evaporation, and wind

Forces cause landforms to change quickly and slowly. Some forces cause landforms to build up and some forces cause landforms to wear away.

Which TWO landforms could be caused by erosion?

• canyon

• beach

• cave

• mountain

Which statement is true about the map?

• There are mountains all over Earth.

• Mountain chains follow the edges of the continents.

• There are mountains only in the center of the continents.

What is true about earthquakes?

• All earthquakes can be prevented.

• No earthquakes can be prevented.

• Some earthquakes can be prevented.