QUIZ: Landforms on Earth

Study Notes – QUIZ Landforms on Earth

• Overview of Landforms on Earth

  • Mountains, plateaus, valleys, and plains are key physical features that tell stories of Earth’s surface and its past
  • These landforms on Earth shape the Earth’s surface, drive ecological and climatic systems, and underpin human civilization, each playing a distinct and interconnected role in Earth’s geography
  • The landforms on Earth preservation and sustainable management are crucial for the planet’s environmental health and the well-being of future generations

  Mountains

  • Mountains are some of the most dramatic, breath taking landforms on Earth. They form where the Earth’s crust is elevated by internal forces, resulting in steep sides and a peak
  • They provide 60–80% of the planet’s freshwater, feeding major rivers and supplying water for billions of people, agriculture, and industry
  • Mountains act as barriers to wind and precipitation, influencing local and regional climates, and are home to about a quarter of all terrestrial biodiversity
  • They are rich in minerals, forests, and other resources, supporting mining, forestry, and hydroelectric power generation, and are centers for tourism, recreation, and spiritual significance

  Types of Mountains

  • Fold Mountains form when two tectonic plates push against each other (e.g., the Appalachian Mountains)
  • Block Mountains form when big blocks of land move up or down along faults (e.g., the Sierra Nevada)
  • Volcanic Mountains are built from molten rock, ash, and gas escaping from Earth through a vent (e.g., Mount Everest)
  • Dome Mountains form when magma pushes up from beneath the earth but doesn’t break through the surface

  Economic Significance of Mountains

  • Mountains offer resources like water, minerals, and trees, generating revenue through tourism and recreation
  • Mountain slopes can be suitable for vineyards or orchards, and rivers originating in mountains provide water for cities and farming lands below

  Plateaus

  • Plateaus are some of the most unique landforms on Earth. The plateaus stand tall with flat tops, shaped by winds, rivers, and lava over time
  • They are major sources of minerals and raw materials essential for industry and collect rainfall and snowmelt, giving rise to major rivers
  • Plateaus foster diverse habitats, supporting unique flora and fauna, and are important for agriculture and livestock rearing
  • They influence weather patterns and regional climates, such as the Tibetan Plateau’s impact on the Asian monsoon, while scenic landscapes make them attractive for tourism

  Classification of Plateaus

  • Intercontinental Plateaus are huge, found in several countries or even continents (e.g., the Tibetan Plateau)
  • Piedmont Plateaus lie at the base of mountains (e.g., the Appalachian Piedmont)
  • Volcanic Plateaus are formed by lava spreading over large areas (e.g., the Columbia Plateau)
  • Dissected Plateaus have rivers cutting through them, creating valleys and hills (e.g., the Colorado Plateau)
  • Intermontane Plateaus are found between mountain ranges and collect sediments that pile up over time (e.g., the Bolivian Altiplano)

  Valleys

  • Valleys are formed by water wear or glaciers moving, supporting diverse life forms
  • They have historically hosted major civilizations due to their fertile soils, abundant water, and sheltered environments, and are among the most productive agricultural areas
  • Valleys support diverse ecosystems and serve as migration routes for wildlife, and their relatively flat terrain makes them ideal for transportation routes
  • They provide resources (water, fish, minerals) and are often centers for economic activity and population

  Types of Valleys

  • River Valleys are carved by rivers over thousands of years (e.g., the Grand Canyon)
  • Glacial Valleys are U-shaped, formed by glaciers grinding the valley walls
  • Rift Valleys occur where tectonic plate movement creates cracks in the Earth’s crust (e.g., the East African Rift)
  • Tectonic Valleys form when large earth blocks move down along faults
  • Box Valleys have steep walls and flat bottoms

  Role of Valleys in Ecosystems

  • Valleys are home to rivers that provide water for plants, animals, and humans, with rich soil supporting more plant growth than surrounding areas, making them important for farming and living

  Plains

  • Plains are large, flat areas where lots of food is grown, important for farming and living spaces
  • They are the most important agricultural regions globally, thanks to their flat terrain, deep fertile soils, and suitability for mechanized farming
  • Plains’ ease of construction and transportation has led to dense human settlement, major cities, and infrastructure development
  • They support rich biodiversity, including grasslands, prairies, and savannas, and often contain valuable minerals and fossil fuels

  Classification of Plains

  • Coastal Plains are found alongside coastlines, created by the accumulation of sand, silt, and clay brought by rivers (e.g., the Atlantic Coastal Plain)
  • Interior Plains are isolated from coasts, centralized within continents, and formed by sediment layers accumulated over millions of years (e.g., the Great Plains in the United States)
  • Flood Plains develop around rivers prone to frequent flooding, generating fertile soil suitable for cultivation (e.g., the Mississippi River Flood Plain)
  • Glacial Plains are formed by glaciers that traversed the land, crushing rocks and soil, and leveling everything upon their melt (e.g., the northern central states of America)
  • Lava Plains result from volcanic activity when lava extends over large expanses and cools down to form level lands composed of basaltic rock (e.g., parts of Iceland and the Deccan Plateau in India)

  Economic and Agricultural Importance of Plains

  • Plains have rich soil good for growing crops, and their flat terrain makes it easier to build homes and roads
  • Rivers in plains help with water for farms and cities, and the smooth land eases trade and helps businesses grow