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LandformsLandform InvestigationDescribe a landform near where you live.Draw It!Name:
What is a Landform?A landform is a natural feature on the surface of the Earth. Think of it as Earth's own unique bumps, dips, and shapes. They are made by forces like wind, water, ice, and moving Earth (tectonic plates).MountainA mountain is the tallest kind of landform. It rises steeply from the land around it. Mountains often have a pointed top called a peak or summit.The tallest mountain in the world is Mount Everest. It stands at about 29,032 feet (or 8,849 meters) high!Landforms change all the time! They grow when Earth moves and they shrink when wind and water wear them down.
HillA hill is a raised area of land, but it is smaller and more rounded than a mountain. Hills are usually easier to climb than mountains because their sides are not as steep.ValleyA valley is a low area of land that is usually found between hills or mountains. Many valleys are shaped like a 'V' or a 'U' and are often created by rivers or glaciers (big moving ice).Since hills are easy to climb, people often build fun things on them! In the winter, hills are perfect for sledding and skiing.The Great Rift Valley is a geological wonder that stretches over 4,000 miles, from Jordan down to Mozambique.
PlateauA plateau is a large, flat area of land that is raised high above the land around it. It looks like a giant table.Mesas & ButtesMesa and buttes form when water and wind (called erosion) slowly carve away the softer rock surrounding a large plateau. The top layer of very hard rock, called caprock, protects the land underneath.When the erosion leaves a wide piece standing alone, it is a mesa.If the erosion continues until the piece is tall and thin, it is called a butte.The Tibetan Plateau is known as the "Roof of the World" because it's Earth's highest and largest plateau, with an average elevation of around 14,800 feet (4,500 meters).
DesertA desert is a landform that gets very little rain and is dry. It is usually very hot, but some deserts are cold.PlainA plain is a large area of flat or gently rolling land. Plains are great for growing crops because the land is flat and the soil is often rich.Mesa and buttes were once part of a huge plateau.Hot desertCold desert
CoastThe coast or shore is the place where a large body of water (like an ocean or a lake) meets the land. The coast often has sandy beaches or rocky cliffs.IslandAn island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water (like an ocean, sea, or lake). Islands can be big or small, and they are home to unique animals and plants.Greenland is the world’s largest island.The coastline of Canada is the longest in the whole world.