What is the Earth's surface like?

Answer 1

Earth's surface is almost not flat at all. Its surface is composed of different, broken up pieces called tectonic plates. All of Earth's tectonic plates are always moving. Sometimes too slowly for it to be detected without instruments such as a seismograph. However, the forces of the tectonic plates are extremely great. Two tectonic plates moving in the same direction push the surface upwards, creating mountains or folded mountains. If two tectonic plates are moving in opposite directions, then it could create a trench in the ocean.

Rivers and streams also play a role in shaping Earth's surface. The rivers and streams flow over land and erode the underlying surface. The water may carry small particles of eroded rock which would collide with a surface and increase the amount of erosion. Some create huge valleys or canyons. For example, the Grand Canyon was eroded by water travelling through the created gap. It eventually became the size it is today, but ,over time, gradually becomes bigger due to weathering, erosion, and abrasion.