Describe the various ways in which Earth's surface is reshaped over time.

Weathering is the process through which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces at or near Earth's surface. There are two main types of weathering: physical (mechanical) weathering and chemical weathering. Physical weathering happens when rocks crack, split, or break apart due to temperature changes, freezing and thawing of water in cracks (known as freeze-thaw weathering), and pressure changes. Chemical weathering involves the decomposition of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions, such as oxidation, hydrolysis, and carbonation.

Erosion is the process of removing and transporting soil, rock, and sediment from one location to another. There are various agents of erosion, including water, wind, ice, and gravity. For example, rainwater flowing over land surfaces can cause the soil to be washed away, while the movement of glaciers can scrape away large quantities of rock and soil. Over time, these actions continuously wear down and reshape Earth's surface.

Deposition is the process by which eroded materials are dropped or settled in new locations. As the agents of erosion (water, wind, ice, or gravity) lose energy, they are no longer able to carry the sediments, causing them to be deposited. This results in the formation of various landforms, such as deltas, sand dunes, and moraines. Deposition helps balance the processes of erosion and assists in the ever-changing reshaping of Earth's surface.

Tectonic activity, such as the movement of Earth's crustal plates, plays a significant role in reshaping the planet's surface. As plates move, they can collide (convergent boundaries), separate (divergent boundaries), or slide past each other (transform boundaries). These tectonic actions result in the formation of mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the creation or destruction of landmasses and ocean basins. For example, the Himalayan mountain range is a result of the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. By considering these processes, it is evident that Earth's surface is continuously reshaped over time through a combination of weathering, erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity.