Question

which statement correctly identifies the causal agents responsible for changes to earths surface?
weathering is an internal process driven by mantle convection.
surface processes and internal processes only occur at plate boundaries.
internal processes mainly wear down earths surface, while surface processes build it up.
internal processes such as volcanism build earths surface, while surface processes such as erosion wear it down.

which statement accurately explains how earths internal and surface processes operate on different temporal (time) scales?
mountain building and seafloor spreading occur over millions of years, while earthquakes happen over seconds.
earthquakes and volcanoes are processes that take millions of years to change earths surface features.
all geological processes happen uniformly across the planet
erosion acts faster than volcanic activity to create new crust.

Explanation:

For the first question:

• Weathering is a surface, not internal, process, so the first option is wrong.
• Surface processes (like erosion) happen across the planet, not just plate boundaries, so the second option is wrong.
• Internal processes build up the surface, while surface processes wear it down, so the third option is reversed and wrong.
• The fourth option correctly states internal processes (e.g., volcanism) build the surface, and surface processes (e.g., erosion) wear it down.

For the second question:

• Mountain building and seafloor spreading are slow, long-term internal processes taking millions of years, while earthquakes are sudden, short-term internal events happening in seconds, so this option is correct.
• Earthquakes are instantaneous, not million-year processes, so the second option is wrong.
• Geological processes do not occur uniformly across the planet, so the third option is wrong.
• Erosion wears down crust, it does not create new crust, so the fourth option is wrong.

Answer:

First question correct answer: Internal processes such as volcanism build Earth's surface, while surface processes such as erosion wear it down.
Second question correct answer: Mountain building and seafloor spreading occur over millions of years, while earthquakes happen over seconds.