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 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 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

• View the following animation: Anatomy 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

ReviewWhat 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.