Physical Processes Natural events that affect the environments of regions.

SOIL EROSION GLACIATION water WIND Weathered material moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity water Flowing in a stream picking up loose light particles WIND Similar to water (the greater the speed the larger the particles that can be carried) GLACIATION Changing landforms by slowly moving glaciers (large, long-lasting mass of ice that moves b/c of gravity)

EROSION Water erosion The movement of weathered material by water Reshapes landforms by depositing or removing sediment

EROSION Wind erosion The movement of weathered material by wind Reshapes landforms by depositing or removing sediment

EROSION Glaciation The movement of weathered material by glacier Reshapes landforms by depositing or removing sediment Carves the land dramatically

Delta Abrasion- heavier particles grinding away the rock A valley cut by a stream continues to get deeper and wider As the water slows, it drops the sediment which is deposited in a fan-like landform Delta Abrasion- heavier particles grinding away the rock

Coastline before and after Ike

Glaciers move from the highest point to the lowest point Wind is similar to water The greater the speed the larger the particles that can be carried Glaciers move from the highest point to the lowest point

Soil-building Desertification an expansion of dry conditions to moist areas that are next to deserts Dry soil = poor agriculture

The Sahel: “shore of the desert”

Weathering Mechanical weathering: Processes that break rock into smaller pieces without changing the composition of the rock Ex. Ice, plant roots, human activities More common in dry areas

Weathering Chemical weathering: Process when the rock is changed into a new substance Ex. rusting More common in warm, moist climates

Hydrological Cycle Water evaporates into the atmosphere from oceans, plants, etc The vapor in the atmosphere cools, condenses, and falls to the earth as precipitation Water soaks into the ground, evaporates to the atmosphere, or flows into rivers to be recycled

Hydrologic cycle #3