Changes to Land

Grades 3-5

Landforms

Features on the surface of the earth such as mountains, hills, dunes, oceans and rivers

Features

Features on the surface of Earth such as mountains, hills, dunes, oceans, and rivers

Delta

A triangle shaped landform at the mouth of a river as it empties into another body of water

Canyon

A deep gorge in the surface of Earth formed by the erosion of moving water and sand

Sand Dune

Hills formed by the wind blowing sand

Mountain

Very large rock formation with peak at top

Hill

A large land formation of rocks, dirt, and grass that has rounded at the top

Valley

The flat area between two mountains or hills

Glacier

Slowly moving river of ice

V-Shaped Valley

A valley formed by moving water

U-Shaped Valley

A valley formed by a slow moving glacier of ice

Plain

A large area of land that is flat with no mountains, hills, or valleys

Weathering

The breakdown of rock into smaller particles from the effects of wind, water, and ice

Erosion

The movement of weathered material on Earth’s surface by wind, water, or ice.

Deposition

The build up of land by depositing sediment and soil in a new location

Erupt

• To break open suddenly

Volcano

• A mixture of hot rocks, ash, and gases that blows through a crack in the Earth’s surface

Landslide

• The rapid downward slide of rocks and mud

Earthquake

• A sudden release of energy under the Earth's surface that makes the ground shake or crack

Sediment

• Small pieces of rock