Changing Changing Earth’s Earth’s Surface Surface RapidlyRapidly

EarthquakesEarthquakes

EarthquakesEarthquakes

CauseCause– Occurs when huge slabs of rock Occurs when huge slabs of rock

move against each other deep move against each other deep below the Earth’s surface.below the Earth’s surface.

– The slabs touch at a faultThe slabs touch at a fault– A fault is a crack in the Earth’s A fault is a crack in the Earth’s

crust.crust.

EarthquakesEarthquakesEffectEffect

– Land can drop and become Land can drop and become destroyed.destroyed.

– Land can rise and become built Land can rise and become built up.up.

– Landslides/rockslidesLandslides/rockslides

HurricanesHurricanes

CauseCause– Very large and violent tropical Very large and violent tropical

stormsstorms– Winds greater than 75 mph.Winds greater than 75 mph.– Start as small thunderstorms over Start as small thunderstorms over

warm water. Heat from the water warm water. Heat from the water fuels the storm.fuels the storm.

– Winds and moisture swirl upward Winds and moisture swirl upward and increase the storm’s strength.and increase the storm’s strength.

HurricanesHurricanesEffectEffect

– FloodingFlooding– Damage to houses and trees.Damage to houses and trees.– Flying debrisFlying debris– LandslidesLandslides

FloodsFloods

CauseCause– Caused by long, steady, heavy Caused by long, steady, heavy

rains or by rapid melting large rains or by rapid melting large amounts of snow.amounts of snow.

– The soil cannot absorb the water The soil cannot absorb the water fast enough.fast enough.

– The water runs into rivers which The water runs into rivers which then overflow.then overflow.

FloodsFloodsEffectEffect

– Land is swept away from one Land is swept away from one place and deposited in another place and deposited in another placeplace

– Damage to houses and trees.Damage to houses and trees.

Hurricanes and EarthquakesHurricanes and Earthquakes

Computer modelsComputer models