1. The Earth’s Changing Surface
Slow and Fast Changes
By the Students of Room 18

2. What changes the Earth’s surface? Fast and slow changes…
Erosion
Floods
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Landslides and mudslides
Glaciers

3. Fast Changes Some of the changes can happen fast!
Mudslides, earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions happen fast.

4. Slow Changes
Erosion, glaciers and slabs under the Earth’s surface cause slow changes.

5. How do glaciers change the Earth’s surface?

6. Glaciers – A Slow Change
Glaciers form lakes and valleys when they flow like a river. They push soil and great big rocks as they flow. Glaciers take thousands of years to change the Earth’s surface.
Fast fact: Sometimes chunks of ice break off of glaciers and this is called calving. It is sort of like the glacier had a baby! This is how icebergs are made.

7. How does erosion change the Earth’s surface?

8. Erosion - A Slow Change
Water, ice and wind can all cause erosion; landforms change because of erosion. Water breaks down rock and little bits of rock and sand get carried away . Water causes erosion, every time it rains it causes a bit more erosion. Sand and rocks can be trapped in glaciers. After the glacier melts the sand and rock are dropped in a new spot. Wind blows and carries sand, making sand dunes. Wind blows and erodes rocks and makes rock statues.

9. How do volcanoes change the Earth’s surface?

10. Volcanoes – A fast and slow change…
Volcanoes can change the Earth’s surface by making new land, islands and mountains. They also make islands bigger or add to land that is already there.
Fast Facts: A new island was formed in Iceland when an underwater volcano erupted. The new island is called Surtsey.
Crater Lake was formed by a volcano.
Mount St. Helens is not dormant. It could erupt again.

11. How do Earthquakes change the Earth’s surface?

12. Earthquakes a fast change…

13. Fast Changing Earthquakes
Earthquakes happen when 2 slabs get stuck; one slab can go under another slab. When the slabs get unstuck and move, earthquakes happen. Earthquakes can help create mountains, make faults bigger, form valleys and cause tsunamis.
Fast fact: Earthquakes can be destructive. They can cause roads to be destroyed and make buildings collapse.

14. How do floods and landslides change the Earth’s surface?

15. Floods and landslides – fast changes…
Floods and landslides are fast changes. Floods usually happen after heavy rain and rivers overflow. Landslides usually happen when the ground is really wet. Landslides change the hill when land rolls off of the hill. It also changes towns or houses if they are built on or below the hill.

16. Earth’s Changing Surface
Earth’s surface is changing all the time. Now you know all about fast changes and slow changes on the Earth’s surface.