Landform Formation
Landform
*draw it
here
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind, water,
or ice?)
mountain
Tectonic plates push against each
other & raise land
Or volcanoes forming layers
volcano
Lava cools & hardens
Or plates collide & push up land
Sand Dune
Definition
a landform caused by the
uplift of the Earth’s crust;
created when two crustal
plates press against each
other
an opening in the Earth’s
crust through which lava,
ash, and gases flow
a mound, hill, or ridge of
wind-blown sand
Sand piles up (deposits)
Landform Formation
Landform
*draw it
here
beach
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind, water,
or ice?)
Definition
gently sloping shore next
to a body of water,
Water weather, erode/move, &
washed by waves or tides,
deposit sediments. Water can break
often covered by sand and
down (weather) or build up
pebbles
Glacier
a large river of ice that
moves
Ice, snow builds up/deposits – lots
of LAYERS
Glacial valley
terminal
moraine
Glacier/ice cutting the mountain
(weathering) & carries/erodes
sediments away
Dropping off/depositing sediments
from glacier
A steep-sided, U-shaped
valley formed by the
erosional forces of a
moving glacier.
An accumulation of
boulders, stones, or other
debris carried and
deposited by a glacier.
Landform
*draw it here
valley
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind,
water, or ice?)
v-valley: carved/weathered by
water
u-valley: carved/weathered by
glaciers
Floodplain
Water deposited
plain
Water & wind
weathering/eroding away
sediments or depositing
sediments
Definition
a low area between
hills and mountains; Vshaped valleys are
formed by rivers;
U-shaped valleys are
formed by glaciers
the land that gets
covered by water
from a stream or river
during a flood
a nearly level area
that has been eroded
or where material has
been deposited
Landform
*draw it
here
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind, water,
or ice?)
plateau
Definition
a nearly level area that has
been uplifted
Wind & water weathering & eroding
sediments away
delta
a fan-shaped deposit at
the mouth of a river
Sediments DEPOSITED by a river
canyon
River weathers/breaks rock &
erodes sediments away
a long, narrow, deep valley
with steep walls that is
formed by running water
cutting into the earth
Landform
*draw it here
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind,
water, or ice?)
meander
Definition
a curve or loop in a river
Water going around rocks,
boulders, trees
cave
Water carves/weathers cave
Water dripping through cracks
A hollow or natural
passage under or into
the earth, especially one
with an opening to the
surface
StalaCtites– hanging
from the Ceiling
StalaGmites – rising
from the Ground
sinkhole
Landform
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island
arch
Water weathers soil away &
makes ground very moist/weak
How Did It Form?
(weathering, erosion,
deposition; from wind,
water, or ice?)
Water deposits sediments/sand
a hollow place or
depression in which
drainage collects
Definition
Or Volcano’s layers
A land mass, especially
one smaller than a
continent, entirely
surrounded by water
Desert arch – wind
weathers/breaks rock
A structure that spans
over an open area and
gives support
Oceanic arch – water & wind
weathers/breaks rocks
Groundcover
Water deposited & plants help
stop erosion of water
Weathering
Small plants that grow
on the forest floor or in
a field (mosses, ferns,
and grasses)
Causes: wind, water, ice, plants,
gravity, acid rain
The process of breaking
rock into soil, sand, and
other tiny pieces
Erosion
Causes: wind, water, ice/glaciers,
gravity
The process of moving
sediments from one
place to another
Deposition
Causes: wind, water, glaciers,
gravity
The process of dropping
(depositing) sediment in
a new location
Constructive
Forces
Volcanoes, earthquakes, water,
wind, gravity, ice
Actions that build up or
construct landforms
Destructive
Forces
Volcanoes, earthquakes, water,
wind, gravity, ice
Actions that wear down
or destroy landforms