Weathering and Erosion

Destructive Forces Destructive forces are processes that destroy landforms. Can you think of a natural disaster that can quickly destroy landforms? Landslides Volcanic Eruptions Earthquakes Floods

Weathering and Erosion Weathering and erosion are natural processes that can affect Earth’s oceans and land. However, these processes happen over time.

Weathering Weathering is a process that breaks down rocks at or near the surface of the Earth. These processes cause the surface of the earth to dissolve, decompose, and break in to smaller pieces. Can you think of some types of weather that could cause rock to break down? Water Plants growing in rock Changes in temperature can break rock Wind that blows sand or other particles

What type of weathering caused this in the Grand Canyon?

Here is another example from the Grand Canyon.

Erosion Erosion is the movement of sediments (sand and silt) and soil by wind, water, ice, and gravity.

What is carrying the dirt away?

Constructive Forces Constructive forces are processes that create landforms. Can you think of examples or acts of nature that would quickly create landforms? Landslides Volcanic Eruptions Floods Even though these are destructive, they can also be constructive.

Deposition Deposition is the dropping, or depositing, of sediments by water, wind, or ice. Over time, deposition builds up new land on Earth’s surface. Can you think of examples of deposition? Seashells washed onto the beach

A delta is an example of deposition.

Think ‘Wedding’ – These processes work together to create new land. When trying to remember these terms, remember WED. W = Weathering This breaks down the rocks. E = Erosion Erosion carries away the rock and sediment. D = Deposition Deposition is where the sediment and soil are dropped off and create new landforms.

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