Identify the major geological processes and explain associated land features.

1. Plate tectonics: This process involves the movement of the Earth's lithosphere (the outermost layer of the Earth) on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath it. This movement can result in the formation of various land features such as mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes. For example, when two tectonic plates collide, they can create mountain ranges like the Himalayas. When one plate subducts beneath another, it can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs like the Andes.

2. Erosion: Erosion is the process by which rocks and soil are worn away by natural forces such as water, wind, and ice. This process can create land features such as valleys, canyons, and cliffs. For example, the Grand Canyon in the United States was formed by the erosion of the Colorado River over millions of years.

3. Weathering: Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface. This process can create land features such as caves, arches, and hoodoos. For example, the limestone caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the United States were formed by the chemical weathering of the limestone rock.

4. Deposition: Deposition is the process by which sediment is deposited by water, wind, or ice. This process can create land features such as beaches, sand dunes, and deltas. For example, the Mississippi River delta in the United States was formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the river over thousands of years.

5. Volcanism: Volcanism is the process by which magma from the Earth's mantle reaches the surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions. This process can create land features such as volcanoes, lava flows, and volcanic craters. For example, the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity as the Pacific Plate moved over a hotspot in the Earth's mantle.

Major Geological Processes and Associated Land Features

1. Plate Tectonics

- Process: The movement of Earth's tectonic plates.
- Land Features:
- Mountain ranges (formed by convergence of plates)
- Ocean trenches (formed by subduction of plates)
- Volcanic islands (formed by hotspots)

2. Erosion

- Process: The wearing away of land by wind, water, ice, and gravity.
- Land Features:
- Gullies (formed by water erosion)
- Dunes (formed by wind erosion)
- Moraines (formed by glacial erosion)

3. Deposition

- Process: The accumulation of sediments on the surface of Earth.
- Land Features:
- River deltas (formed by deposition of river sediments)
- Beaches (formed by deposition of ocean sediments)
- Loess deposits (formed by deposition of wind-blown dust)

4. Folding

- Process: The bending of rock layers due to compression.
- Land Features:
- Anticlines (upward-folded rocks)
- Synclines (downward-folded rocks)

5. Faulting

- Process: The fracture and displacement of rock layers.
- Land Features:
- Faults (fractures along which rocks move)
- Rift valleys (formed by extensional faulting)

6. Volcanism

- Process: The eruption of molten rock onto Earth's surface.
- Land Features:
- Volcanoes (conical or mountainous structures formed by lava and ash)
- Lava flows (smooth or rugged surfaces formed by erupted lava)
- Ash deposits (layering of volcanic ash)

7. Metamorphism

- Process: The alteration of rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.
- Land Features:
- Metamorphic rocks (formed from existing rocks under high pressure and temperature)
- Contact metamorphism (alteration of rocks adjacent to intrusive igneous bodies)