Question

Erosion happens when natural forces alter the landscape. What does it mean to alter a landscape?"

a) To blow dust around
b) To change what land looks like
c) To deposit silt at the mouth of a river
d) To create a floodplain

Answer 1

To alter a landscape means to change what the land looks like, which can occur through erosion and other natural forces as well as human activities. Erosion by rivers and weathering processes shapes land features, while earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can lead to more dramatic changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we talk about erosion altering the landscape, we're referring to the process of natural forces changing the appearance and composition of the Earth's surface. To alter a landscape means to change what land looks like. This can happen through various means like rivers eroding their banks and depositing silt in flood plains, or the action of wind, water flows, and human activities reshaping the terrain. Structures like river valleys and rocky coastal cliffs are created by ongoing erosion and weathering processes which also play a crucial role in the ecological balance by increasing soluble minerals in water bodies, crucial for aquatic life.

For example, rivers can create broad floodplains by depositing sediment as they slow down in flatter areas. Mountains may erode over time and deposit their sediments in rivers or near shorelines, contributing to landscape change. Furthermore, events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can dramatically alter landscapes by triggering landslides or depositing new material such as volcanic ash.