Landform Explorers Slides
Grade 4 Earth Science
Expedition Unit
Earth’s Wild Landforms
Pack your field pack! We are setting off to investigate how powerful forces of water, wind, and time shape the surface of our planet.
Mountains
Plateaus
Canyons
Plains
MISSION BRIEF
What Is a Landform?
Earth's Crust
A landform is any natural physical feature on the surface of Earth. They are created over thousands or millions of years!
Earth's Heat
Tectonic plates push up towering peaks and erupt molten lava into volcanic mountains.
Moving Water
Rivers slice deep gorges through rock and deposit nutrient-rich soil at river mouths.
Wind & Ice
Glaciers bulldoze valleys, while relentless desert winds blast and sculpt sand arches.
HIGH ELEVATION
Mountains vs. Plateaus
Towering Heights
Mountain
A large landform that stretches high above surrounding land, usually forming a pointed or jagged peak.
Steep slopes with rapid weather changes
Formed by colliding plates or volcanoes
Famous: Rocky Mountains, Himalayas
Plateau
An elevated area of flat land—often called a "tableland". It rises sharply above adjacent land on at least one side.
Flat top with steep cliffs or drop-offs
Formed by magma lift or cooled lava sheets
Famous: Colorado Plateau
Field Memory Trick: Think of a mountain like a pointed tent, and a plateau like a giant dinner table!
EROSION IN ACTION
Valleys & Deep Canyons
Water Power
Valley
A low area between hills or mountains, usually with a stream or river running through it.
V-Shaped Carved by rushing mountain rivers
U-Shaped Scraped out by slow, heavy glaciers
Canyon
A deep, narrow valley with extremely steep rock walls, carved over millions of years by river erosion.
Exposes ancient layers of rock
Grand Canyon: carved by Colorado River
Key Takeaway: Water never stops moving! Even tiny raindrops and creeks slowly carry away tons of rock over time.
LOW ELEVATION & WATER
Plains & River Deltas
Sediment & Soil
Plain
A broad, expansive area of flat or gently rolling land with very few trees and low elevation changes.
Super fertile soil—ideal for farming & crops
The Great Plains cover 10 US states!
River Delta
A fan-shaped or triangular wetland where a river empties into an ocean, lake, or bay and drops its sediment.
Formed by deposition of sand and silt
Named after the triangular Greek letter Delta (Δ)
Why do people settle on plains and deltas? Easy water access and rich farm soil!
CLASS CHALLENGE
Landform Detective!
Can you name each?
Case #1
"I rise high into the air with steep rocky cliffs, but my summit is as flat as a tabletop."
Answer: Plateau
Case #2
"A rushing river carved deep into solid stone over millions of years, leaving steep canyon walls."
Answer: Canyon
Case #3
"I form at the mouth of a river where slow water drops mud and sand into a fan shape."
Answer: Delta
What landforms can you identify in your home state or region?
