Have you ever heard of natural wonders? Some people call certain
landforms, or features on Earth's surface, natural wonders.
These landforms are special because they have unique
characteristics. Some are very beautiful. Others are enormous.
Many people plan trips to visit natural wonders. Two very popular
natural wonders are Mount Everest and the Grand Canyon.
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is one of the world's tallest
mountains. It is more than 8,800 meters tall!
Many people have tried to climb to the top of
Mount Everest, but only a few people have
done it. Strong winds and cold weather make
the top of this mountain a very dangerous
place. Reaching the top is a huge
accomplishment.
Mount Everest is part of a group of mountains
in Asia. The mountains formed millions of
years ago as huge pieces of Earth's crust slowly
moved together. The rock layers below the
surface pushed upward to form mountains. In
fact, the rocks are still moving and pushing the
mountains up higher. That means Mount
Everest is getting taller every day!
Grand Canyon
Another popular natural wonder is the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The canyon measures over 440 kilometers from end to end. People
come from all over to see the colorful rock layers that make up the
walls of the canyon. There are interesting ways in which travelers
can explore the Grand Canyon. Some companies offer tours by
buses, helicopters, or even mules!
A canyon is a type of deep valley with very steep sides. The Grand
Canyon formed millions of years ago. It formed when running water
from the Colorado River broke down surrounding rock, carving out
the canyon. Running water and other forces continue to change the
shape of the Grand Canyon.
Discovery Education Science
© 2007 Discovery Communications, LLC
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Natural Wonders
Some of the most beautiful places on Earth are
landforms made by natural forces. These forces
continue to change landforms such as Mount
Everest and the Grand Canyon. But don't worry
about missing out on seeing these natural wonders.
The changes are very slow. Go ahead, plan a visit,
and bring your camera.
Discovery Education Science
© 2007 Discovery Communications, LLC
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