How Earth’s Surface Builds Up and Wears Down

Rapid Changes to Earth’s Surface landslide tsunami volcanic eruption earthquake

Earthquakes Earthquakes can change the Earth’s surface very quickly. Earthquakes shake, roll, squeeze, and stretch the surface. Earthquakes are unpredictable, we are unsure when they will occur. View the following video clip: National Geographic - Inside EarthquakesInside Earthquakes View the following animation: Earthquake Animation

Landslides Landslides can cause rock, soil, and debris to move very rapidly down a hill or mountain. Landslides occur because of the most powerful agent of erosion - water! Landslides help in fertilizing the soil. View the following video clip: Landslides 101Landslides 101

Kinds of Landslides

Tsunamis Tsunamis are huge ocean waves that can cause destruction as they reach the shoreline. A tsunami can be caused by underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes. Like earthquakes, tsunamis can change the earth’s surface very rapidly. View the following video clip: Tsunami 101 Tsunami 101 View the following animation: Anatomy of a TsunamiAnatomy of a Tsunami

Volcanic Eruption A volcanic eruption can blast lava and hot ash causing destruction of an entire forest. When lava dries it makes a rock used in building roads. Volcanic ash improves nutrients in the soil. View the following video clip: Volcanic Activity View the following animation: How a Volcano Forms

Review What are four changes that affect the Earth’s surface? earthquake, landslide, tsunami, volcano How do these changes occur? rapidly or slowly Are all these changes destructive? yes, but in many ways they can help our Earth Can these changes benefit our Earth? yes, they can fertilize soil or produce rock.