CHANGES TO EARTH’S SURFACE EXTENDED RESPONSE
The surface of the Earth is always changing. Some natural processes change Earth’s surface very slowly over time and
other change Earth’s surface very quickly. The picture below shows an area of Earth’s surface that was shaped by natural
processes.
Describe THREE natural processes that could have shaped this area. Use evidence from the
photo to support your answer.
Describe THREE natural processes that might have helped shape this area.
Do?
Label and Restate
What?
Changes to the Earth’s Surface Open Response Rubric

Restate_____

Process #1: __________________________________
o
o
o
o

Process #2: __________________________________
o
o
o
o

Slow or rapid process? _____
Definition _____
Described how it changes the Earth’s surface? _____
Described how it might have helped shape this area? _____
Process #3: __________________________________
o
o
o
o

Slow or rapid process? _____
Definition _____
Described how it changes the Earth’s surface? _____
Described how it might have helped shape this area? _____
Slow or rapid process? _____
Definition _____
Described how it changes the Earth’s surface? _____
Described how it might have helped shape this area? _____
HOMER S???? Did you show your best effort in these things?
o Handwriting _____
o Organization _____
o Margin to margin _____
o Extra effort _____
o Restate _____
o Spelling _____
Now I will describe three natural processes that might have helped
shape this area:
1. Erosion by running water might have helped shape this area. This is a
slow process that happens over thousands of years. Erosion by running
water is the wearing and carrying away of soil and rock particles by
running water. This happens when running water like a stream or river
constantly flows and as it does, it picks soil and rock particles and
carries them to a new spot. Over time, it can form a valley or canyon. In
the picture, there seems to be a valley running in between the
mountains. This valley could have been formed by running water like a
river. Over time, a river could have made the valley deeper and wider
by constantly eroding soil and rock particles.
2. Wind erosion might have helped shape this area. This is a slow
process that takes place over thousands of years. Wind erosion is the
wearing and carrying away of rock and soil particles by the wind. As the
wind blows, it picks up soil and rock particles and carries them away. As
it blows into bigger rocks like mountains, it carves out little pieces at a
time. This changes the shape of the mountain. In the picture, wind
could have blown into the mountains and made them the shape that
they are now.
3. Glaciers might have helped shape this area. Glaciers are a slow
process. They are large masses of snow and ice that move across the
land. As they move downhill, they pick rock debris and use this to carve
out the bedrock. This forms valleys. In the picture, there seems to be a
valley. Maybe this valley was formed as a glacier moved through this
area.
4. Weathering, or the wearing away of rock, might have helped shape
this area. Weathering is a slow process that happens as rocks are
broken and worn down over thousands of years. As rocks worn down,
mountains may grow steeper or change shapes in other ways. Maybe
the mountains in the picture have weathered away over a long period
of time, making them this shape.
5. A landslide could have helped shape this area. A landslide is a rapid
process caused by earthquakes or heavy rain shaking loose rock and soil
at the top of a hill or mountain. Rocks and soil are shaken loose and
they suddenly fall to a lower place. This could change the shape of a
mountain by making it steeper. The mountains in the picture could have
been a different shape at one time, but a landslide made them steeper.
6. A volcano could have helped shape this area. A volcano is a rapid
process that happens when two tectonic plates push upward to form a
mountain. This mountain is filled with magma. When the volcano
erupts, it changes the top or sides of the mountain. It can also form new
land when the lava cools to form igneous rock. One of the mountains in
the picture looks caved in at the top. It could have been a volcano that
had erupted before. When the lava cooled, it could have added more
rock to the side of the mountain.
7. An earthquake could have helped shape this area. An earthquake is a
rapid process that is caused when there is movement or vibration in the
Earth’s crust. Two tectonic plates collide. This causes huge cracks in the
Earth’s crust. The plates could also be pushed up or down to form
mountains. The mountains in the picture could have been formed from
many earthquakes over time. The shifting plates could have pushed the
land up in some places and down in other places, forming valleys.