The concept that small, consistent changes can lead to massive transformations over geologic time is best illustrated by which of the following?

An earthquake causing a landslide.

In the process of canyon formation, what is the role of "transporting" sediment?

It makes the canyon walls stronger.

It clears away eroded material.

It causes the river to change direction.

It deposits new rock on the riverbed.

The canyon walls would immediately collapse.

The canyon would rapidly fill with wind-blown sand.

The process of the canyon becoming deeper would stop.

The canyon would continue to get deeper due to rainwater.

A single, massive earthquake that splits the ground open, creating a chasm for the river to flow through.

The slow, continuous erosion of rock by flowing water and the transportation of the resulting sediment downstream.

The deposition of volcanic ash and lava, which builds up high walls on either side of the river.

The scraping and gouging action of a large glacier moving through the valley during an ice age.