Question 1

What is a natural wonder?

Accepted Answer

A natural wonder is a special place on Earth that is really beautiful or interesting because of nature. It's made by things like rocks, water, and plants.

Question 2

How do mountains form?

Accepted Answer

Mountains form when giant pieces of the Earth's surface, called tectonic plates, push against each other. This causes the land to rise up high, forming mountains.

Question 3

What is a volcano?

Accepted Answer

A volcano is like a mountain that can sometimes erupt with hot liquid rock, called lava, and gases from inside the Earth. When a volcano erupts, it creates new land and changes the landscape.

Question 4

Why are some lakes salty?

Accepted Answer

Some lakes are salty because they don’t have any rivers or streams flowing out of them. When water evaporates, the salt stays behind and makes the lake salty.

Question 5

What makes rainbows?

Accepted Answer

Rainbows happen when sunlight shines through raindrops in the sky. The light bends and separates into different colors, making a bright, colorful arc in the sky.

Question 6

Why are the Grand Canyon's rocks different colors?

Accepted Answer

The rocks in the Grand Canyon are different colors because they are made of different kinds of minerals and were formed at different times. Each layer of rock tells a story about how the Earth has changed over millions of years.

Question 7

What is a glacier?

Accepted Answer

A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. Glaciers form from lots of snowfall that gets squished together over many years, and they can slowly flow and change the land.

Question 8

How do waterfalls form?

Accepted Answer

Waterfalls form when rivers or streams flow over a high ledge or cliff. The water falls down to a lower level, making a beautiful cascade of water.

Question 9

What is a desert, and why is it dry?

Accepted Answer

A desert is a big, sandy or rocky place that gets very little rain. It's dry because there’s not enough rain to help plants grow, so you won't find many trees and plants there.

Question 10

How are caves made?

Accepted Answer

Caves are made when water slowly eats away at rock over a long time. Sometimes water drips inside caves, leaving behind cool formations like stalactites and stalagmites.

Question 11

What are the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Lights are a natural light show in the sky near the North Pole. They happen when particles from the sun hit the Earth's atmosphere, making colorful lights that dance in the sky.

Question 12

Why are some beaches sandy, and others rocky?

Accepted Answer

Some beaches are sandy because the waves break rocks into tiny pieces over time, turning them into sand. Other beaches are rocky if there are strong waves that don't break rocks down as much.

Question 13

What is a coral reef?

Accepted Answer

A coral reef is a big underwater structure made by tiny animals called corals. They live in warm, shallow water and create a colorful home for many kinds of fish and sea creatures.

Question 14

How does erosion change landscapes?

Accepted Answer

Erosion is when wind, water, or ice slowly wear away rocks and soil, changing the shape of the land. Over time, erosion can create new landforms like valleys and canyons.

Question 15

What is a geyser?

Accepted Answer

A geyser is a hot spring that shoots hot water and steam into the air. This happens when underground water gets heated by hot rocks and builds up pressure.

Question 16

Why do islands form?

Accepted Answer

Islands can form from volcanic eruptions when lava cools and builds up in the ocean. They can also appear when parts of the Earth's crust rise above the sea surface.

Question 17

What makes a forest different from a jungle?

Accepted Answer

Forests are big areas full of trees and plants, some in cooler places. Jungles, or rainforests, are a type of forest in warm, wet places with lots of rain and more species of plants and animals.

Question 18

What is a canyon, and how does it form?

Accepted Answer

A canyon is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually created by a river cutting through the earth over a long period. Water, wind, and ice help shape the canyon over time.

Question 19

How do oceans affect weather?

Accepted Answer

Oceans store heat and release it slowly, which helps keep the weather balanced all over the world. The ocean's warmth can also cause weather patterns like hurricanes.

Question 20

Why do some rocks have stripes or patterns?

Accepted Answer

Some rocks have stripes or patterns because they are made of layers of different minerals. Each layer forms in different conditions and might have different colors or sizes of grains.

The Natural Wonders of Earth: Geology and Landscapes - 20 FAQs Explained Simply