Earth is full of amazing landforms, and they come in all shapes and sizes! You may have seen tall mountains, wide plains, deep valleys, flat plateaus, or rolling hills. But how did these landforms form, and what makes them different from each other?
Mountains: Giant Giants of the Earth
Mountains are some of the tallest landforms on Earth, rising high above the ground. They can be sharp and pointy or smooth and rounded. Mountains form when the Earth’s plates, huge pieces of the Earth’s crust, push against each other. When two plates collide, the land gets pushed upwards, creating a mountain range!
Over time, mountains can also be shaped by weather. Wind, rain, and ice slowly wear away the rock, making the mountain change shape. Some famous mountains include the Himalayas in Asia and the Rocky Mountains in North America.
Plains: Flat and Wide Lands
Plains are flat areas of land that stretch out over large spaces. They might seem like endless fields or meadows. Plains are usually formed by erosion, which happens when wind and water wear away the rocks and soil from mountains and hills. The soil that is carried away often ends up in flat areas, creating plains.
Sometimes, plains are also formed by the buildup of soil and sand left by rivers. These river plains are very good for farming because the soil is rich and healthy. Famous plains around the world include the Great Plains in the United States and the Pampas in Argentina.
Valleys: U-Shaped or V-Shaped Wonders
A valley is a low area of land between two mountains or hills. Valleys can be shaped like the letter “V” or like the letter “U.” V-shaped valleys are formed by fast-moving rivers that carve deep paths through the land over thousands of years. U-shaped valleys are created by glaciers, which are huge masses of ice that slowly move across the land, scraping the ground beneath them.
Valleys are often beautiful places, full of rivers, plants, and animals. The Grand Canyon in the United States is an example of a valley formed by erosion from the Colorado River.
Plateaus: Flat Tops with Steep Sides
A plateau is a large, flat area of land that is raised high above the surrounding land. Plateaus are often surrounded by steep cliffs or slopes. They are formed by a combination of uplifting of the Earth’s crust and erosion. Over time, the land is lifted up, but the top remains flat, while the sides are worn away.
The Colorado Plateau in the United States is one of the most famous plateaus in the world. Plateaus are important because they can hold a lot of natural resources, like minerals and water.
Hills: Smaller, Rolling Mounds
Hills are like smaller cousins of mountains. They are usually lower and rounder. Hills are formed in many ways: some are the result of tectonic plate movements, while others are created by erosion or the buildup of soil and rocks. Over time, rivers and glaciers can shape hills, giving them their gentle, rounded appearance.
Hills are found all over the world and are often a great place for hiking and exploring. Some famous hills include the Seven Hills of Rome in Italy and the Cotswolds Hills in England.
How Do These Landforms Change Over Time?
You might think that mountains, plains, valleys, plateaus, and hills stay the same forever, but they are always changing! The Earth’s surface is never still. Forces like wind, water, ice, and the movement of the Earth’s plates keep shaping these landforms. This means that landforms can grow taller, get smaller, or change their shape over thousands or even millions of years!
Exploring Earth’s Amazing Landforms
From towering mountains to smooth plains, from deep valleys to flat plateaus, and from rolling hills to rugged cliffs, Earth’s landforms are truly amazing. Each landform has a unique way of being formed, and they continue to change and evolve over time. So, the next time you see a mountain or a valley, you’ll know the incredible story of how it came to be!