ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Geo (landform)

Imagine you are walking outside and you come across a big hill or mountain. You might also find a valley or a plain. These are all examples of landforms. Landforms are the physical features on the Earth's surface that have their own shape and characteristics.

The Earth is made up of different types of landforms like mountains, valleys, hills, plateaus, canyons, and islands. These are formed over a long period of time due to natural processes like tectonic activity (when the Earth's plates move and collide), erosion (when the wind and water wear down rocks), and weathering (when rocks break down due to exposure to elements like sun, wind, and rain).

Mountains are really tall and have a peak at the top. They are usually formed when two tectonic plates collide, and one is pushed up into the air. Valleys, in contrast, are the low areas that sit between mountains or hills. They are usually formed by the erosion of the land by rivers and streams.

Hills are smaller than mountains and have a rounded top. Plateaus are flat-topped areas that are elevated higher than the surrounding land. They are formed when the Earth's crust pushes upwards. Canyons are deep, narrow valleys with steep sides. They are usually formed by erosion from flowing rivers.

Islands are land surrounded by water. They can be created by volcanic activity or the rise and fall of sea levels. The shape and size of landforms can vary greatly depending on where they are located and how they were formed.

So, in simple terms, landforms are the different shapes and types of physical features on the Earth's surface, and they are formed by natural processes like earthquakes and erosion.
Related topics others have asked about: