Changing Earth Surface

Help Questions

Middle School Earth and Space Science › Changing Earth Surface

Questions 1 - 10
1

A map of a mountain slope is shown at two times. At Time 1, a hiking trail crosses a steep slope. At Time 2, the map shows a fresh, bare patch on the slope and a pile of rock and soil at the bottom of the slope that was not there before. Multiple processes can contribute to surface change over time.

What change is shown in these maps?

The mountain grew taller because new rock formed instantly on the surface

Nothing changed; the bare patch and pile are just different map symbols

Material moved downhill, forming a new deposit at the base of the slope

The pile at the bottom is evidence of chemical weathering only, with no movement of material

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, especially on slopes where gravity influences material movement. Processes like mass wasting cause rock and soil to move downhill, creating bare patches and debris piles at the base, leading to observable alterations in terrain. To check for such changes, compare slope features, trails, and new deposits across maps from different time points. A common misconception is that mountains are static or grow instantly without material relocation, but changes often involve gradual weathering followed by movement. Surface changes can be gradual, like slow creep, or rapid, such as sudden landslides. Often, multiple processes, including erosion and gravity, work together to modify hilly landscapes over time.

2

Two maps show the same hillside with exposed rock at two times. At Time 1, the rock outcrop has sharp edges and fewer cracks. At Time 2, the same outcrop shows many more cracks and small rock fragments collected just downslope. Multiple processes may contribute to surface change over time.

Which explanation fits the observed change best?

The rock outcrop became cracked because the map scale changed, not because the surface changed

The cracks prove the rock formed instantly at Time 2 and did not exist at Time 1

Erosion created cracks inside the rock without breaking it into pieces

Weathering broke the rock into smaller pieces, and gravity moved some fragments downslope

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, with exposed rocks on hillsides breaking down progressively. Processes like weathering create cracks and fragments, while gravity moves pieces downslope, leading to observable accumulations. To check for such changes, compare rock edges, crack patterns, and downslope debris across maps from different time points. A common misconception is that rocks are static or change instantly, but weathering often proceeds gradually. Surface changes can be gradual, like slow fracturing, or rapid in freeze-thaw cycles. Often, multiple processes, including physical and chemical weathering, combine to alter rocky landscapes over time.

3

A pair of coastline maps shows the same beach at two different times. The older map shows a wide sandy beach. The newer map shows the shoreline farther inland and the beach narrower, with a small offshore sandbar just beyond the breaking waves. Multiple processes may contribute to surface change over time.

Which claim about surface change is supported by the maps?

The coastline cannot change unless people build structures, so the maps must be incorrect

The beach became wider because waves always deposit sand on shore

The shoreline moved inland, consistent with coastal erosion and sand being moved and redeposited offshore

The change proves a volcano formed offshore and pushed the shoreline inland

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, with coastlines particularly dynamic due to interactions with water. Processes like coastal erosion remove sand from beaches, moving it offshore to form sandbars, resulting in observable inland shifts of shorelines. To check for these changes, compare beach widths, shoreline positions, and offshore features across maps from different times. A common misconception is that beaches are static or change only due to human structures or volcanoes, but natural wave action often drives gradual erosion. Surface changes can be gradual, such as ongoing sand removal, or rapid during storms. Often, multiple processes, including weathering and currents, contribute to reshaping coastal areas over time.

4

Two maps show the same river mouth (delta) at two times. On the older map, the river meets the sea with a small delta. On the newer map, the delta extends farther into the sea with new land-shaped lobes, and the main channel splits into more branches. Multiple processes can contribute to surface change over time.

What change is shown in these maps?

The delta built outward as sediment was deposited where the river slowed near the sea

The delta shrank because all rivers always carry sediment away from the coast

The new land is a volcano that formed at the river mouth and forced the river to split

The delta did not change; the extra branches are just the map showing more detail

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, especially at river mouths where land meets sea. Processes like sediment deposition build deltas outward, creating new land and branching channels as rivers slow and drop material. To check for these changes, compare delta extents, channel splits, and new land areas across maps from different times. A common misconception is that deltas are static or shrink naturally, but they often grow gradually through deposition. Surface changes can be gradual, such as steady buildup, or rapid after heavy rains. Often, multiple processes, including erosion upstream and wave redistribution, shape deltas over time.

5

Two maps show the same river bend at two different times (Time 1 and Time 2). On the Time 2 map, the river channel has shifted toward the outside of the bend, and a small sandbar appears on the inside of the bend. Multiple processes can contribute to surface change over time.

Based on the maps, which process best explains the change at this river bend?

A single earthquake instantly moved the entire river channel sideways without erosion or deposition

The river stayed in the same place, and the sandbar is only a drawing difference between the two maps

Wind carried sand into the river and built the sandbar, while the river water did not change the banks

Flowing water eroded the outside bank and deposited sediment on the inside bank

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time due to natural processes acting on landforms like rivers. Processes such as erosion by flowing water remove material from one area, while deposition adds sediment elsewhere, causing observable shifts in river bends and the formation of sandbars. To check for such changes, compare the positions of river channels, banks, and new features like sand deposits across maps from different time points. A common misconception is that river paths are static or change only instantly through events like earthquakes, but many shifts occur gradually through water action. Surface changes can be gradual, like slow meander migration, or more rapid during floods. Often, multiple processes, including weathering and sediment transport, interact to reshape landscapes over time.

6

A map shows the same cliffed coastline at two times. At Time 1, a footpath runs near the cliff edge. At Time 2, the cliff edge is farther inland in several places, and broken rock is shown at the base of the cliff. Multiple processes may contribute to surface change over time.

Which process best explains the change shown?

The cliff edge is unchanged; the rock at the base proves the cliff grew outward

Wave action and weathering weakened the cliff, leading to erosion and rockfall

The cliff moved inland because the entire continent floated west overnight

Only chemical weathering happened, so no material was removed or moved

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, with cliffs retreating due to exposure to elements. Processes like wave action and weathering weaken rock, leading to erosion and rockfalls that move cliff edges inland and deposit debris below. To check for such changes, compare cliff positions, paths, and base materials across maps from different time points. A common misconception is that cliffs are static or move due to continental shifts, but local erosion often causes gradual retreat. Surface changes can be gradual, like ongoing weathering, or rapid during storms. Often, multiple processes, including physical and chemical breakdown, contribute to coastal cliff transformations over time.

7

A map shows a volcanic area at two times. At Time 1, a road passes through a valley. At Time 2, a dark, lobed surface covers part of the valley and crosses the road, and the valley floor looks smoother in that area. Multiple processes may contribute to surface change over time.

Which process best explains the change shown on the maps?

A lava flow covered the valley floor, creating a new surface layer

The road caused the valley to fill in by pulling rock upward from below

Wind erosion carved a deeper valley and made the surface darker

The valley could not change over time, so the dark area must be a map-printing error

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, particularly in volcanic regions where molten rock alters landscapes. Processes like lava flows cover existing surfaces, smoothing valleys and interrupting features like roads, causing observable new layers. To check for such changes, compare valley floors, surface colors, and disrupted paths across maps from different time points. A common misconception is that valleys are static or change only through wind or errors, but volcanic activity can rapidly reshape them. Surface changes can be gradual, such as slow cooling, or rapid during eruptions. Often, multiple processes, including erosion after flows, contribute to ongoing modifications in volcanic areas.

8

Two maps show the same stream valley at two times. The older map shows a narrow stream and a small floodplain. The newer map shows a wider floodplain with a new layer of light-colored sediment covering part of the valley floor. Multiple processes can contribute to surface change over time.

Which claim is incorrect based on the evidence in the maps?

No deposition happened because streams only erode and never leave sediment behind

More than one process (such as erosion upstream and deposition downstream) could be involved

The valley floor gained sediment in some places, consistent with deposition during high water

The stream valley changed over time, so Earth’s surface can change gradually or quickly

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, with stream valleys evolving through water-related actions. Processes like flooding lead to deposition of sediment, widening floodplains and adding new layers, causing observable expansions in valley features. To check for these changes, compare stream widths, floodplain sizes, and sediment deposits across maps from different times. A common misconception is that streams only erode without depositing material, but they often do both, sometimes gradually. Surface changes can be gradual, like slow sediment buildup, or rapid during floods. Often, multiple processes, such as upstream erosion and downstream deposition, interact to reshape valleys over time.

9

A city park map shows the same small stream channel at two times. At Time 1, the stream is narrow and straight. At Time 2, the stream is wider with a curved bend, and a small deposit of sediment appears on the inside of the bend. A student says, “The stream changed only because people must have dug a new channel.” Multiple processes can contribute to surface change over time.

Which statement is the best evaluation of the student’s claim using the evidence from the maps?

The maps prove the change happened instantly in one moment because any widening must be sudden

The maps prove people dug the channel because natural streams cannot curve over time

The maps support natural erosion and deposition by flowing water, so human digging is not the only possible explanation

The maps show no real change because streams always look different from one day to the next

Explanation

The core skill is using evidence from maps to explain changes in Earth's surface. Earth’s surface changes over time, even in managed areas like parks where streams can evolve naturally. Processes such as erosion and deposition by water widen channels and form bends with sediment deposits, causing observable shifts without human intervention. To check for these changes, compare stream shapes, widths, and new deposits across maps from different times. A common misconception is that all stream changes are instant or human-caused, but natural flows often reshape them gradually. Surface changes can be gradual, like slow widening, or rapid during events. Often, multiple processes, including water flow and sediment transport, contribute to landscape modifications over time.

10

A map of a mountain slope is shown at two times: Spring (Before) and Late Summer (After). The After map shows a fresh, light-colored fan-shaped deposit at the base of a steep gully, and the gully is wider than before. Which process best explains the change? (More than one process can change slopes.)

Weathering alone moved the sediment downhill without any erosion or transport

Wind erosion carved the gully wider and carried the gravel uphill to form the fan

The slope stayed unchanged; only the map colors changed

A landslide or debris flow moved rock and soil downhill, widening the gully and depositing a fan at the bottom

Explanation

The core skill in studying Earth's changing surface is using evidence from maps or images to explain how and why the surface changes over time. Earth's surface is not fixed but changes continuously due to natural processes acting on landforms like mountain slopes. Processes such as landslides or debris flows can transport rock and soil downhill, widening gullies and forming fan-shaped deposits at the base through gravity-driven movement. To check for changes, compare features like gully width or new deposits across maps from different time points to detect erosion or accumulation. A common misconception is that slopes remain static without human intervention, but they can change naturally over time through mass wasting events rather than staying unchanged. Surface changes can occur gradually through slow creep or rapidly during heavy rains, and often involve multiple processes like weathering weakening the slope beforehand. This knowledge is key to assessing slope stability in mountainous areas.

Page 1 of 6