Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

Weathering

Weathering Process of breaking down rocks and other substances on the earth by heat, cold, water, or ice

Erosion

Erosion The process by which water, ice, wind, and gravity move rock and soil

Quick ErosionQuick Erosion

Slow ErosionSlow Erosion

Erosion

Deposition Occurs where the sediment produced by weathering and erosion is moved somewhere else and changes the shape of the land

Weathering, erosion, and deposition act together in a cycle that wears down and builds up Earth’s surfaces.

How would this effect a topographic map?

How would this effect a topo map?

Glacier Movement: Glaciers grow and shrink depending on rain, temperature, and other factors.

As they grow they carry sediment

When they shrink, they leave the sediment

Erosion

How would this effect a topo map?

Rivers: Rivers gradually remove rocks and dirt from river banks which reshapes the river and causes them to erode

Causes: v-shaped valleys, waterfalls, and other river features

How could scientists use topographic maps or satellite

images to see erosion?

Yellow River Delta

• What happening in the pictures?

Yellow River Delta

• When a new dam is built, the river changes direction and begins building the delta by dumping sediment on the northeast side of the peninsula. A second change in the course of the river occurs and the delta begins to build out by increased deposition in a new location slightly to the west. Also, the original peninsula has decreased in length toward the southeast.

Mountaintop Mining, West Virginia

• What’s happening in this picture?

Mountaintop Mining, West Virginia

• The mining operations are reducing the elevation of an ever increasing area by removing the top elevations of the mountains. They may also note that a new lake is formed as a result of the mining operations.

Water Level in Lake Powell

• What’s happening in these pictures?

Water Level in Lake Powell

• The water level changes from year to year, which in some years, causes some streams not to drain into Lake Powell and at times exposes the river bed, as well as the bottom of the lake. The series ends with a rise in the water level.