Short and Long Questions: Earth's Movements and Changing Landforms | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What are endogenic forces and give an example?
Ans: Endogenic forces are the forces that originate from within the Earth's interior and shape the Earth's surface. One example of an endogenic force is volcanic activity, where molten rock, ash, and gases are ejected from a volcano.

Q2: Explain the formation of old fold mountains.
Ans: Old fold mountains are formed when two tectonic plates collide and their edges crumple, causing layers of rock to fold and uplift over millions of years. Examples of old fold mountains include the Appalachian Mountains in the United States and the Scottish Highlands.

Q3: Define faulting and describe the types of faulting.
Ans: Faulting is the breaking and displacement of rocks along a fault line. There are three types of faulting: normal faulting, where the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall; reverse faulting, where the hanging wall moves upward relative to the footwall; and strike-slip faulting, where rocks on either side of the fault slide horizontally past each other.

Q4: What is seismology, and who studies earthquake waves?
Ans: Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves. Seismologists are scientists who study earthquake waves to understand the causes and effects of earthquakes.

Q5: How are block mountains and rift valleys formed?
Ans: Block mountains are formed when large blocks of the Earth's crust are uplifted and tilted, creating steep mountain ranges. Rift valleys, on the other hand, are formed when the Earth's crust is pulled apart, causing a depression to form. The East African Rift Valley is an example of a rift valley.

Q6: What is weathering, and why is it crucial for soil formation?
Ans: Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by physical, chemical, and biological means. It is crucial for soil formation because weathering creates the necessary materials for soil, such as nutrients and organic matter.

Q7: Describe the formation of V-shaped valleys by rivers.
Ans: V-shaped valleys are formed by the erosive action of rivers. As a river flows downhill, it erodes the sides of the valley, creating steep, V-shaped walls. The erosion is mainly caused by the force of running water and the abrasion of sediment carried by the river.

Q8: What are glaciers, and how do they contribute to landform creation?
Ans: Glaciers are large bodies of ice that form on land and move slowly downhill due to gravity. They contribute to landform creation through the process of glaciation, which includes erosion, transportation, and deposition of rock debris. Glaciers can carve out valleys, create U-shaped valleys, and deposit moraines.

Q9: Explain the formation of sand dunes by wind.
Ans: Sand dunes are formed when wind blows and transports sand particles, which then settle and accumulate in certain areas. As the wind continues to blow, the sand particles are shaped into dune formations. The shape and size of the dunes are influenced by wind direction and strength.

Q10: How do sea waves contribute to the formation of marine landforms?
Ans: Sea waves contribute to the formation of marine landforms through erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediment. Waves erode coastlines, transport sediment along the shore, and deposit it in the form of beaches, spits, and barrier islands.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Discuss the Theory of Plate Tectonics and its impact on the Earth's surface.
Ans: The Theory of Plate Tectonics states that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that move and interact with each other. These interactions, such as convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries, result in various geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains. The Theory of Plate Tectonics helps explain the distribution of continents, the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and the formation of landforms.

Q2: Explain the differences between old fold mountains and new fold mountains.
Ans: Old fold mountains are formed through the process of folding and uplift over millions of years, while new fold mountains are relatively young and still actively being formed. Old fold mountains have undergone extensive erosion, resulting in rounded peaks and gentle slopes, while new fold mountains have sharp peaks and steep slopes. Old fold mountains are found in stable continental interiors, while new fold mountains are typically located near plate boundaries.

Q3: Describe the process of faulting and its role in landform formation.
Ans: Faulting is the breaking and displacement of rocks along a fault line. It occurs due to tectonic forces acting on the Earth's crust. Faulting plays a significant role in landform formation by creating fault scarps, rift valleys, and horsts. The movement along faults can uplift or subside blocks of land, leading to the formation of mountains, valleys, and plateaus.

Q4: How do rivers shape the landscape from their upper course to the lower course?
Ans: In the upper course, rivers erode the landscape through vertical erosion, creating V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, and rapids. As the river flows downstream to the middle course, lateral erosion becomes dominant, widening the valley and forming meanders. In the lower course, the river deposits sediment, creating floodplains and deltas.

Q5: Elaborate on the formation of glacial landforms and their characteristics.
Ans: Glacial landforms are formed by the erosive action of glaciers. These include U-shaped valleys, cirques, arêtes, and moraines. Glaciers erode the landscape through plucking and abrasion, shaping the land into distinct features. U-shaped valleys have steep sides and a flat bottom, while cirques are bowl-shaped depressions. Arêtes are sharp ridges between two cirques, and moraines are accumulations of rocks and debris carried by the glacier.

Q6: Discuss the role of wind in creating various landforms, especially in desert regions.
Ans: Wind plays a significant role in creating landforms in desert regions through the process of erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediment. It can erode rocks through abrasion, forming ventifacts and rock pedestals. Wind can transport sand and silt, creating sand dunes and loess deposits. Deposition by wind can result in desert pavement, desert varnish, and sand sheets.

Q7: Explain the impact of marine forces like waves and tides on coastal landforms.
Ans: Marine forces like waves and tides shape coastal landforms through erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediment. Waves erode coastlines, creating cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and sea caves. Tides contribute to the movement of sediment, resulting in the formation of spits, barrier islands, and estuaries.

Q8: Compare and contrast the formation of sea cliffs, caves, and beaches by sea waves.
Ans: Sea cliffs are formed by the erosive action of waves, which undercut and erode the base of a cliff. Sea caves are created when waves erode weak areas in the cliff, forming hollowed-out spaces. Beaches are formed through the deposition of sediment by waves, creating a gently sloping shoreline. While sea cliffs and caves are primarily formed through erosion, beaches are formed through deposition.

Q9. Describe the process of deposition and its significance in landform development.
Ans: Deposition is the process by which sediments are dropped or deposited by wind, water, or ice. It is significant in landform development as it forms various landforms such as beaches, deltas, alluvial plains, and sand dunes. Deposition contributes to building up and reshaping the Earth's surface, creating new landforms and modifying existing ones.

Q10. Discuss the classification of volcanoes based on their eruption frequency.
Ans: Volcanoes can be classified into three categories based on their eruption frequency: active, dormant, and extinct. Active volcanoes have erupted recently or are currently erupting. Dormant volcanoes are inactive but have the potential to erupt in the future. Extinct volcanoes are no longer active and are unlikely to erupt again.