Earth's Constructive and Destructive Processes VOCABULARY

Weathering

• A process that creates new rocks from existing ones.

• A destructive process where rocks, soil, and minerals are broken down through contact with atmospheric conditions.

• A method of planting trees to prevent soil erosion.

• A technique used in mining to extract minerals from the earth.

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Volcanoes

• A destructive process that causes earthquakes and tsunamis.

• A constructive process where an opening in the Earth’s surface ruptures and allows magma, ash, and gases to escape.

• A natural phenomenon that only occurs underwater.

• A geological event that leads to the formation of mountains.

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Earthquakes

• A natural disaster caused by volcanic eruptions.

• A constructive process that results in a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust where plates slip and move and displacement of land occurs.

• A phenomenon that occurs only in mountainous regions.

• A weather-related event that causes flooding.

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Destructive Process

• Things that happen to the Earth that destroy or break down part of it.

• Natural events that create new landforms.

• Processes that enhance the Earth's surface.

• Activities that maintain the stability of ecosystems.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Deltas

• A type of mountain formed by volcanic activity.

• A landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where it flows into another body of water and sediments are deposited there.

• A flat area of land that is prone to flooding.

• A deep valley formed by the erosion of a river.

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Erosion

• A process that adds materials to the surface of the Earth.

• A destructive process where materials are removed from the surface of the Earth and then deposited elsewhere.

• A natural phenomenon that causes the Earth to become more fertile.

• A method of building up land through sedimentation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Deposition

• A process where sediments are removed from land and eroded away.

• A constructive process where sediments are added to land and build it up from previously eroded sediments.

• A method of transporting sediments from one location to another.

• A destructive process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles.

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Sediments

• The solid weathered materials that are deposited at the bottom of rivers, lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water.

• The liquid materials that flow in rivers and lakes.

• The gaseous substances found in the atmosphere.

• The organic materials that decompose in soil.

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Constructive Process

• Things that happen to the Earth that build it up or make positive changes.

• Processes that erode the Earth's surface and create negative changes.

• Natural disasters that cause destruction and harm to the environment.

• Human activities that lead to the depletion of natural resources.

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