Why are landforms so important

Search through these resources to discover more about unique landforms and landscapes around the world. Landforms are natural and distinctive features. Explore how they show up in various landscapes. These resources can be used to teach middle schoolers more about the natural world, its distinctive features, and landscapes.

Erosion is the process where rocks are broken down by natural forces such as wind or water. There are two main types of erosion: chemical and physical. In physical erosion, the rock breaks down but its chemical composition remains the same, such as during a landslide or bioerosion, when plants take root and crack rocks.

Explore the process of erosion with this collection of resources. Weathering is the process of the weakening and breakdown of rocks, metals, and manmade objects. There are two main types of weathering: chemical and physical. An example of chemical weathering is acid rain.

Caused mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, acid rain is a form of precipitation with high levels of sulfuric acid, which can cause erosion in the materials in which it comes in contact. An example of physical weathering is wind blowing across the desert playas. This process causes rocks to form a specific pyramid-like shape and they are called ventifacts. Select from these resources to teach about the process of weathering in your classroom. In geography, boundaries separate different regions of Earth.

A physical boundary is a naturally occurring barrier between two or more areas. Physical boundaries include oceans, cliffs, or valleys. Select from these educational resources to teach middle school students more about physical boundaries. The rock cycle is a web of processes that outlines how each of the three major rock types—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary—form and break down based on the different applications of heat and pressure over time.

For example, sedimentary rock shale becomes slate when heat and pressure are added. The more heat and pressure you add, the further the rock metamorphoses until it becomes gneiss. If it is heated further, the rock will melt completely and reform as an igneous rock. Empower your students to learn about the rock cycle with this collection of resources. Human activities are impacting the Grand Canyon in unexpected ways from its toxic past to tourism. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.

Skip to content. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. These striking landforms, called buttes, are created by erosion. Photograph by Anthony Boyer, MyShot. Grand Canyon. Himalaya Mountains. Mariana Trench. Mount Everest. Media Credits The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Last Updated Aug.

Media If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Text Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Interactives Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. For all of these activities it is best to start with beginner level programs, before progressing to more complex and dangerous landforms.

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source obtained from hot rocks deep underground. Landforms, particularly volcanoes, are key sources of geothermal energy and so landforms, and the areas surrounding them, are often harnessed for electricity and hot water production.

Another renewable energy source, wind power, can be harnessed using farms built in elevated areas. Landforms are often in the ideal location for these wind farms as they are in remote, windswept locations at high altitude. Renewable energy, unlike coal, oil and gas, is made from resources that occur naturally and so will not run out or pollute the atmosphere. Updated April 25, How to Read Elevation Maps. What Are the 4 Main Types of Landforms? Forces That Cause Landforms. How to Explain Topography.

What Are Four Major Landforms? What Are the Most Common Landforms? Landforms Near Chicago. Weather of the Grassland Ecosystem. Landforms of a Savanna. Facts About Mountains in Mexico.