Pompeii is an ancient city in Italy. It was a very popular and busy city. There were restaurants, shops, farms, and lots of people. That changed in the year 79 A.D. A nearby volcano called Mount Vesuvius erupted. When it exploded, it threw ash and rock into the air for two days. Tons of ash covered Pompeii. The city was covered in twenty-three feet of debris. Thousands of people died. No one was expecting the volcano to erupt. Even with technology, today, scientists cannot accurately predict when a volcano will erupt. Residents near the volcano do not get much of a warning to escape the danger.

What conclusion can readers draw about the events at Pompeii?

Earthquakes are a natural disaster caused by the Earth’s surface moving. The Earth’s crust is made of plates called tectonic plates. They usually move slowly, but sometimes they get stuck. When the plates pull apart, energy is released, and this causes an earthquake. The larger the amount of energy released, the more massive the quake. Earthquakes usually only last for 30 seconds or less. Despite earthquakes being very quick, they can be very destructive. Strong earthquakes can damage homes, towns, bridges, roads, and more. Earthquakes can also be deadly. Earthquakes are very hard to predict, so we don’t know when they are going to happen. Often people don’t have time to leave the area before it happens.

Why are earthquakes so dangerous to people and cities?

California had two significant events that took place today that shook residents up. The first was a sudden earthquake that rocked downtown Los Angeles and terrified residents! It was over as soon as it started but did pretty severe damage to many homes and buildings. There were no injuries or deaths, luckily. The other event was not as damaging to homes and buildings but to the coast. Today a large piece of cliffside slid downwards onto the beach below after decades of wind and water beating against it. Scientists had been monitoring for many years the damage to the cliffside by Mother Nature. 

Which keywords/phrases from the text allude to an event happening quickly?

Which photo shows an Earth event that would happen quickly (in days or weeks)?

One of the slowest events on Earth that can change the shape of the land is erosion.

What does the term erosion mean? Example: The erosion of the beach left many homes at risk for collapse. The sand is still sliding and moving closer to the ocean.

The Grand Canyon is one of the United State’s best examples of erosion. Wind, rain, and the Colorado River slowly created it. These forces cut and shaped the area into what it is today. The Appalachian Mountains were a towering mountain range millions of years ago. Today their highest point is 6,684 feet tall. That same peak used to be an estimated 20,000 feet high. Erosion over time has worn the mountains down and changed them forever.

Which keywords or phrases from this text show that these events happened slowly?

Which photo shows an Earth event that happens slowly (in months or years)?

Why is this photo an example of an event on Earth that happens slowly?

What is the definition of weathering? Example: Weathering is an important factor in the creation of new landforms.

The Grand Canyon is one of the United State’s best examples of erosion. Wind, rain, and the Colorado River slowly created it. These forces cut and shaped the area into what it is today. The Appalachian Mountains were a towering mountain range millions of years ago. Today their highest point is 6,684 feet tall. That same peak used to be an estimated 20,000 feet high. Erosion over time has worn the mountains down and changed them forever.

What conclusion can the reader make about the formation of mountains?