Erosion and Deposition Agents, Forces, and Results

What Caused This? http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_erosion_below_Hay_Bluff_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1074175.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wind_erosion_Seminole_Canyon.JPG http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baventian_Clay_Beds_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1776748.jpg

What is Erosion? Erosion – moving of rock material from one place to a new location Three processes must take place: detachment of particles lifting them transporting them Agents of erosion: flowing water moving ice waves gravity wind Sand consists of small pieces of rock that have been: weathered from a parent rock eroded deposited somewhere else

What Is Wind Erosion? Wind – responsible for wearing away rocks and creating great deserts like the Sahara Desert and Gobi Most effective in moving loose material Main effects: Wind causes small particles to be lifted and moved away. Suspended particles may impact on solid objects causing erosion by abrasion (rubbing). Occurs in areas where there is not enough rainfall to support vegetation http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wind_Erosion_Features_in_Wadi_Al-Hitan.jpg

What Is Water Erosion? Water – most influential force in erosion Moves materials Transports large objects with fast moving streams Wears away rocks: rivers lakes oceans http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_erosion_below_Scarsoch_Bheag_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1367808.jpg

What Is Wave Erosion? Waves – relentless pounding Erodes: softer/weaker rock first harder/more resistant left behind Can take over 100 years to erode a rock to sand Energy of waves and chemical content of the water erodes the rock off the coastline. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wave_Erosion,_Downpatrick_Head_-_geograph.org.uk_-_369272.jpg

What Is Gravitational Erosion? Mass movement – downward movement of rock and sediments, mainly due to the force of gravity Streams and glaciers move material from higher  to lower  elevation Occurs continuously on all slopes slow moving and sudden movement until equilibrium is reached http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purbeck_,_Old_Harry_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1711962.jpg

What Is Glacial Erosion? Ice – moves and carries rocks, grinding the rocks beneath the glacier Plucking occurs when water enters cracks under the glacier. freezing breaking off pieces of rock that are then carried by the glacier Abrade (abrasion) cuts into the rock under the glacier smoothing polishing the rock surface http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:U-shaped_valley_at_the_head_of_Leh_valley,_Ladakh_(2).JPG

What is Deposition? Deposition – laying down of sediment that has been transported by a medium such as wind, water, or ice Process of erosion stops: when the moving particles fall out of the transporting medium and settle on a surface Speed of the medium slows or the resistance of the particles increases, the balance changes and causes deposition Speed can be reduced by large rocks, hills, vegetation, etc.

Deposition - Wind Wind speed can be related to variations in heating and cooling. Transportation of particles in wind: Fine particles in suspension hundreds of km from its original source in the desert Heavier material may be blown along the ground. Material is deposited when the wind changes direction or loses its strength. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desert_Chihuahuan_Big_Bend.JPG

Deposition - Water Running water enters a large, fairly still body of water and its speed decreases. SPEED As the speed of the water decreases, the water's ability to carry sediment also decreases. Deposited in streams, rivers, and oceans: Running water deposits sediments where the slowing water can no longer move them. Largest particles are deposited near the shore. Increasingly smaller particles settle out farther from the shore where the water is calmer. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enchanted_Rock,_stream.jpg

Deposition - Ice Glacial flows of ice – become slower when the ice begins melting – Deposits left by glaciers: The deposits of these rivers look similar to normal river deposits and are called outwashes. Moraines are large chunks of broken rock left at the base and sides of the glacier as it melts and recedes. Finer material is carried in the rivers that form when the glacial ice melts. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cavell_Glacier_with_Crevices_and_Annual_Rings.jpg

What’s the Difference? WEATHERING – Think of weather wearing rock down. EROSION – Think of a road and traveling. DEPOSITION – Think of depositing money into a bank.