Final answer:
Landforms such as plains, mountains, and islands are created by tectonic forces, volcanic activity, erosion, and sedimentation. The Alps are an example of mountains formed by tectonic plate collision. Human activities can also influence landform development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formation of Major and Minor Landforms
Major and minor landforms on Earth, such as plains, mountains, and islands, are the result of various physical processes. These processes can be broadly categorized into tectonic, volcanic, erosional, and sedimentary activities. Tectonic forces play a significant role in shaping the land through the movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates, which can lead to the formation of mountain ranges when plates collide. This process is exemplified by the creation of the Alps, where the African plate pushed against the Eurasian plate. Volcanic activity can also result in the creation of landforms, such as islands and mountains, when molten rock, or magma, erupts through the Earth's surface and solidifies.
Erosion by water, wind, and ice sculpts the landscape by carrying away soil and rock, creating valleys and other features. Sedimentation occurs when these eroded materials are deposited in new locations, often forming plains over time. Climatic factors contribute to the erosion and sedimentation processes as well. Human activity can alter these natural processes, affecting landform development through agriculture, urbanization, and climate change. These processes work together to constantly reshape the Earth's surface, leading to the varied and dynamic landscapes we see today.