Geological Changes and Landslides

The photograph is of Monument Valley, which was formed by changes to the Earth's surface over thousands of years. Which events bring about this kind of change to the Earth's surface?

• weathering and erosion

• deposition and landslides

• volcanic eruptions and earthquakes

• floods and mudslides

During heavy rains, landslides cause severe damage to roads and houses in mountainous regions. Which solution can help reduce damage from landslides?

• People should build more houses in mountainous regions.

• Houses in mountainous regions should be empty during heavy rains.

• More trees should be planted to stop the mass movement of rocks and soil.

• Houses should be built using wood rather than concrete.

Which statement is true about the impact the slope of the land has on the speed of water and rate of erosion?

• The gentler slope causes the water to move faster, and less erosion occurs than on a steep slope.

• The steeper slope causes the water to move slower, and less erosion occurs than on a gentle slope.

• The gentler slope causes the water to move slower, and more erosion occurs than on a steep slope.

• The steeper slope causes the water to move faster, and more erosion occurs than on a gentle slope.

Humans and some of the things that they do have a tremendous effect on changes to Earth's landforms. Which activity will likely cause the most soil erosion?

• growing vegetables to eat

• planting flowers in garden

• mowing the grass on the soccer field

• removing trees from a wooded area

Pedro saw some pictures of a town in a newspaper. It showed some cracks on the roads and in buildings due to a natural event. What could have caused this?

• earthquake

• erosion

• flood

• landslide

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published data on the quantity of soil eroded from croplands in the United States. What can be concluded from the data?

• Soil erosion was at a maximum in 1997.

• Soil erosion was at a minimum in 2002.

• Soil erosion increased every 5 years.

• Soil erosion decreased every 5 years.

The image shows three experimental models. What type of erosion is represented in each model?

• 1 and 2: water erosion; 3: wind erosion

• 1: water erosion; 2 and 3: wind erosion

• 1, 2, and 3: water erosion

• 1, 2, and 3: wind erosion

A diagram showing the profile of a mountain today and 500 years ago is provided. What is the reason for the change in the mountain peak over the last 500 years?

• land erosion

• building roads

• planting trees

• building dams

Thousands of fish fossils discovered high in the Rocky Mountains most likely indicate that

• ancient sea levels were once high enough to cover the mountains.

• a large flood washed the fish up to the tops of the mountains.

• the mountains were once part of the sea floor that was pushed up by tectonic forces.

• the fish were inhabitants of an ancient stream that became frozen during the ice ages.

The discovery of fossilized coral reefs on land is evidence that

• salt water changes coral into fossils.

• the reefs formed in a freshwater lake.

• the sea level has changed over time.

• coral reefs can form on dry land.