Earth has various land features formed by geological processes, including mountains formed by tectonic uplift, volcanoes formed by eruptions of magma, islands which can form from volcanoes or deposition of materials by water, valleys eroded by rivers or glaciers, canyons formed by deep river erosion over long periods, and caverns formed by water interacting with rock materials. These landforms each provide clues about the geological forces that shaped them.

1. EarthEarth’’s Land Features.s Land Features.

2. What are some of EarthWhat are some of Earth’’s land features?s land features?
 EarthEarth’’s landforms include mountains, volcanoes,s landforms include mountains, volcanoes,
islands, valleys, canyons, and caverns.islands, valleys, canyons, and caverns.

3. EarthEarth’’s Land Featuress Land Features
 Landforms are solid features on EarthLandforms are solid features on Earth’’s crust.s crust.
Another name for landform is land feature.Another name for landform is land feature.
Examples of land features include mountains,Examples of land features include mountains,
volcanoes, islands, valleys, canyons, and caverns.volcanoes, islands, valleys, canyons, and caverns.

4.  Each type of land feature forms in a particularEach type of land feature forms in a particular
way. Wind, water, or processes that happenway. Wind, water, or processes that happen
inside Earth form many different land features.inside Earth form many different land features.
The shape of a landform can tell you a lot aboutThe shape of a landform can tell you a lot about
how it was made.how it was made.

5. MountainsMountains
 A mountain is a land feature that is high aboveA mountain is a land feature that is high above
the land around it. Mountains form whenthe land around it. Mountains form when
processes within Earth push land upward.processes within Earth push land upward.

6. New mountains are steep and jagged.New mountains are steep and jagged.

7. Over time water and wind can wear downOver time water and wind can wear down
mountains.mountains.
Older mountains have a more roundedOlder mountains have a more rounded
shape.shape.

8. VolcanoesVolcanoes
 Deep beneath EarthDeep beneath Earth’’s surface, rock is hot ands surface, rock is hot and
partly melted. It is called magma.partly melted. It is called magma.
 Sometimes pressure within Earth forces magmaSometimes pressure within Earth forces magma
to the surface. The magma erupts as lava.to the surface. The magma erupts as lava.
 As layers of lava harden, they can form a kind ofAs layers of lava harden, they can form a kind of
mountain-a volcano.mountain-a volcano.

10. IslandsIslands
 An island is a small land feature surrounded onAn island is a small land feature surrounded on
all sides by water. Some islands form fromall sides by water. Some islands form from
volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor.volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor.
 Another kind of island is a barrier island. TheseAnother kind of island is a barrier island. These
islands form when ocean water carries brokenislands form when ocean water carries broken
down rock materials away from the shore.down rock materials away from the shore.
 Over time the materials form islands that runOver time the materials form islands that run
along the coastline.along the coastline.

12. ValleysValleys
 A valley is a low area on EarthA valley is a low area on Earth’’s surfaces surface
surrounded by hills or mountains. Valleys formsurrounded by hills or mountains. Valleys form
when rivers or glaciers erode materials fromwhen rivers or glaciers erode materials from
EarthEarth’’s crust.s crust.
 Valleys formed by rivers are V-shaped.Valleys formed by rivers are V-shaped.
 Valleys formed by glaciers are U-shaped.Valleys formed by glaciers are U-shaped.
 The bottoms of most valleys slope downwardThe bottoms of most valleys slope downward
toward a stream or lake.toward a stream or lake.

14. CanyonsCanyons
 In places where rivers erode the land over a longIn places where rivers erode the land over a long
period, a deep opening can form in Earthperiod, a deep opening can form in Earth’’ss
surface. A canyon is such an opening-it is a deepsurface. A canyon is such an opening-it is a deep
valley with steep sides.valley with steep sides.
 The Grand Canyon in the Southwestern UnitedThe Grand Canyon in the Southwestern United
states is a series of canyons along the Coloradostates is a series of canyons along the Colorado
River.River.

16. CavernsCaverns
 A cavern, or cave, is a large hole in the side of aA cavern, or cave, is a large hole in the side of a
hill or mountain.hill or mountain.
 Caverns often form when water mixes withCaverns often form when water mixes with
natural chemicals and minerals in the soils. Thenatural chemicals and minerals in the soils. The
chemicals break down certain types of rock.chemicals break down certain types of rock.
 Caverns also form when ocean waves erode rockCaverns also form when ocean waves erode rock
along the shoreline.along the shoreline.

17.  Sometimes water seeps into a cavern and dropsSometimes water seeps into a cavern and drops
from the ceiling, leaving minerals behind. Asfrom the ceiling, leaving minerals behind. As
more water drops, the minerals form long, thinmore water drops, the minerals form long, thin
shapes that hang from the ceiling.shapes that hang from the ceiling.
 If the water drops onto the cavern floor,If the water drops onto the cavern floor,
minerals can be left behind there too.minerals can be left behind there too.
 This process creates unusual shapes that lookThis process creates unusual shapes that look
like cones, saucers, or sculptures inside somelike cones, saucers, or sculptures inside some
caverns.caverns.