Weathering, Erosion, & Deposition What are the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in Texas Eco-regions?

How does weathering, erosion, & deposition act together in a cycle that changes the Earth’s surface? Weathering-breaks down the Earth’s surface Erosion - moves the Earth’s surface (diminishes the surface) Deposition – drops off sediments to build up the earth’s surface fc2.galenaparkisd.com

Please draw the cycle Weathering Erosion Deposition

What is Weathering? Must occur before erosion can happen The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces Must occur before erosion can happen No movement is involved Two types: Mechanical & Chemical Sediments- small/tiny pieces of weathered down rock.

What is Physical Weathering? Physical/Mechanical weathering … the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces with out changing what the material Physical Weathering -- The steep walls here were carved out by moving water Palo Duro Canyon in the High Plains Eco-Region

Enchanted Rock in the Llano Uplift Eco-region Physical Weathering 1. Animal burrowing 2. Plant Roots 3. Ice Wedging 4. Abrasion Enchanted Rock in the Llano Uplift Eco-region 5. Exfoliation-warming and cooling of rocks over time causes rocks to peel into sheets

What is Chemical Weathering? dissolving and changing the minerals in rocks into new ones. 1. Oxidation-Rusting 2. Plant Acids 3. This cave was formed by slightly acidic water dissolving the limestone (carbonic acids)

Chemical Weathering Natural Bridge Caverns in Texas

What is Erosion? Water Wind Water & Gravity Gravity Example The movement of weathered earth materials by moving water, wind, gravity or ice (glaciers) Example Cause of Erosion Waves eroding the beach and East TX shoreline Water Desert Sandstorm in West TX from drought Wind Rain causing Mudslide in the Rolling Hills of Central TX Water & Gravity Landslide on sides of Plateaus of Central TX Gravity Rain carrying soil down a driveway

Erosion Galveston Before and After Hurricane Ike

How does removing plants effect the erosion on the left side of the hill?

How does keeping plants effect the erosion on the right side of the hill? Mudslide danger Loss of topsoil Clogged storm drains Flooding problems Expensive clean up Eroded or buried house foundations

How vegetation affects erosion.. No/Less vegetation Vegetation Soil in place Less clean up Minimum erosion Protection for house foundations Mudslide danger Loss of topsoil Clogged storm drains Flooding problems Expensive clean up Eroded or buried house foundations

What is Deposition? Before After Delta Mountains Sand Dunes Plateau When eroded sediments are deposited in a new location Example: delta -- where sediment is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or lake builds up a landform Before After

Deposition W. Texas Example Desert winds sculpted these gentle swirls out of the limestone hills in Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, Texas. This remote, 100,000-acre area in West Texas contains some of the lowest, driest, and hottest areas in the Chihuahuan Desert

Deposition Deposition area from the Rio Grande River The Red River carries sediments, and drops some along the way

Let’s Practice, write in your S. J Let’s Practice, write in your S.J. what type of erosion shaped these landforms! Water, Wind, Gravity, Ice?