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Why are there cliffs? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Cliffs… rock on!
Have you ever seen any cliffs? They can be pretty amazing to look at! Cliffs are natural land formations that are very tall, but are not the same as mountains. Instead of gradually sloping upwards, cliffs stand straight up into the air (or almost straight up into the air) and drop down very steeply. Some cliffs also have overhanging surfaces. Most cliffs are made from rock.
The reason why we have cliffs is because of erosion, which refers to surfaces that get worn away by forces like water or wind. Basically what this means is that the cliffs we see today weren’t always there! Over the course of years and years, water (like from rain, rivers, or oceans) and wind have naturally broken down rock surfaces little by little, carrying away tiny unnoticeable bits at a time! Eventually, with enough time and the right conditions, this results in wearing away enough of the landscape to result in the natural formation of cliffs!
Cliffs… rock on!
Have a grown-up help you look up some pictures of cliffs online. What are some words that you would use to describe the shape and appearance of the cliffs? Think about descriptive terms like “tall” or “smooth” or “flat.” What are some of the similarities and differences in the cliffs you look at?
Next, ask the grown-up who is helping you if you can look up some pictures of other land formations, like mountains. Think about some ways to compare and contrast the cliffs with the other land formations you look at!
