Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

• What are the key processes that shape the Earth's surface?

  Weathering, erosion, and deposition
• How do weathering, erosion, and deposition work together?

  They interact to shape the world around us
• What is weathering?


  The breakdown of rocks and minerals on Earth's surface
• What are the types of weathering?

  1. Physical weathering
  2. Chemical weathering
  3. Biological weathering
• What is physical weathering?

  Breaking rocks into smaller pieces without chemical changes
• Give an example of physical weathering.

  Frost wedging
• What is chemical weathering?

  Changes the chemical composition of rocks
• What is an example of chemical weathering?

  Oxidation (rusting)
• What is biological weathering?

  Weathering caused by living organisms, such as lichens
• How do lichens contribute to biological weathering?

  They produce organic acids that dissolve minerals in rocks
• What are the products of weathering?

  • Sediment: Small pieces of rock and mineral
  • Clay: Very fine particles from chemical weathering
  • Sand: Larger grains of weathered rock
  • Soil: Mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, air, and water
• What is erosion?


  The movement of weathered materials
• What are the main agents of erosion?

  1. Water (rivers, streams, ocean waves)
  2. Wind
  3. Ice (glaciers)
  4. Gravity
• How do rivers and streams contribute to erosion?

  They carry sediment downstream
• What features do waves create along coastlines?

  They shape coastlines and create features like sea stacks
• How does wind contribute to erosion?

  It picks up and carries small particles
• What features are created by wind erosion?


  Sand dunes and unique rock formations
• How do glaciers contribute to erosion?


  They scrape and carve landscapes as they move
• What distinctive features do glaciers create?

  1. shaped valleys and fjords
• How does gravity affect erosion?

  It causes weathered material to move downslope
• What are examples of gravity-induced erosion?

  Landslides, rockfalls, and soil creep
• What is deposition?


  Eroded materials settle in a new location
• What are common depositional features?

  • Deltas: Where rivers meet larger bodies of water
  • Alluvial fans: At the base of mountains
  • Beaches: Along coastlines
• How do weathering, erosion, and deposition shape landscapes over time?

  They create new landforms and impact ecosystems and habitats
• How are weathering and erosion related to the rock cycle?

  They are part of the larger rock cycle that creates sedimentary rocks
• How can human activities affect weathering, erosion, and deposition?

  They can accelerate or slow these processes
• What human activity can increase erosion?

  Deforestation
• What are some erosion control methods?

  Planting vegetation, building retaining walls, and creating terraces
• How does climate change impact weathering, erosion, and deposition?

  It can increase rainfall and coastal erosion, and change erosional patterns
• What is a case study example of erosion?

  The Grand Canyon
• How was the Grand Canyon primarily carved?

  By the Colorado River
• What does the Grand Canyon reveal about erosional processes?

  It demonstrates the power of water erosion over millions of years
• How is the Mississippi River Delta formed?

  By sediment deposition at the river's mouth
• How might human activities affect the formation of river deltas?

  They can alter sediment deposition patterns
• What is the future of weathering, erosion, and deposition?

  They will continue to shape Earth's surface, influenced by human activities and climate change
• Why is it important to understand weathering, erosion, and deposition?

  It helps us predict and prepare for changes in landscapes
• What are the interconnected processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition?

  • They continuously reshape Earth's surface
  • Create diverse landscapes and ecosystems
  • Operate on various time scales, from days to millions of years