Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 9: Problem 2

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

Short Answer

Expert verified
Earth's surface is reshaped over time through various natural processes like tectonic activities, erosion, and weathering, as well as human activities such as deforestation and urbanization.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Tectonic Activities

Tectonic activity is caused by the movement of the Earth's crustal plates. When these plates collide, they form mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas. When they move apart, they form rift valleys, like the Grand Rift Valley.
02

Explore the Role of Erosion and Deposition

Erosion is the removal and transportation of rock or soil from one place to another by natural elements such as wind, water, or ice. Deposition occurs when these materials are laid down or deposited in a new location. Over long periods, these processes can lead to significant changes in landscape.
03

Explain Weathering

Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soil, and minerals, as well as the decay of organic material. Physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soil into smaller pieces through processes such as frost action or thermal expansion. Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soil due to chemical reactions—like rust forming on a rock surface.
04

Highlight Human Activities

Humans are also responsible for significant reshaping of the Earth's surface through activities like deforestation, urbanization, and mining. Where forests once stood, cities and farmland now exist. Where mountains once existed, open pits may now remain.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Why are typical rocks found on the Earth's surface much younger than the Earth itself?

Describe the interior structure of the Earth.

The deepest wells and mines go down only a few kilometers. What, then, is the evidence that iron is abundant in the Earth's core? That the Earth's outer core is molten but the inner core is solid?

The human population on Earth is currently doubling about every 30 years. Describe the various pressures placed on the Earth by uncontrolled human population growth. Can such growth continue indefinitely? If not, what natural and human controls might arise to curb this growth? It has been suggested that overpopulation problems could be solved by colonizing the Moon or Mars. Do you think this is a reasonable solution? Explain your answer.

Earth's atmospheric pressure decreases by a factor of onehalf for every \(5.5-\mathrm{km}\) increase in altitude above sea level. Construct a plot of pressure versus altitude, assuming the pressure at sea level is one atmosphere (1 atm). Discuss the characteristics of your graph. At what altitude is the atmospheric pressure equal to \(0.001\) atm?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Conservation of Energy and Momentum

Read Explanation

Translational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Fluids

Read Explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Physics of Motion

Read Explanation

Measurements

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free