Slow And Fast Changes Practice Test

In a rocky canyon, small pieces of rock break off cliff walls over many seasons as water freezes and thaws in cracks, slowly widening the cracks. During one afternoon, a large boulder breaks loose and crashes to the canyon floor, leaving a fresh impact mark. Both slow and fast changes shape Earth’s surface. Which classification is most accurate?

A river flows through a mountain valley. Over many years, the river rounds rocks and widens the valley floor. One winter, a strong earthquake shakes the valley and triggers a rockslide that suddenly piles boulders into the river, temporarily damming it. Both slow and fast processes shape Earth’s surface. Over a short time period right after the earthquake, which process would be more noticeable in changing the surface?