Erosion

Erosion and Deposition

Erosion: the
movement of
materials away
from a place
Gravity is the main
force causing
erosion

Deposition: the
process of laying
down materials,
such as rocks and
soil
Can be moved by
wind or flowing
water

Water Erosion and

Deposition
Moving water
causes much of the
erosion that shapes
the Earths surface Water can deposit
materials in other
places to create
new landforms.

Rivers
Gravity causes
rivers to flow
Erode the land
around them
Carry sediments
Rock, sand, and soil

Deposited
materials form
deltas

Rain
Can loosen
sediments and
carry them away
Can cause flooding
Damages soil,
roads, and buildings

Waves
Cause erosion
along coastlines
Sand in the waves
acts like sandpaper
Weathers away rock

Grasses and plants

can help hold soil
in place

Glaciers
Gravity pulls
glaciers down
along a valley
Grind rocks
beneath them into
sediments
Over a long time,
creates a U shaped
valley

Wind Erosion and Deposition

Caused by wind
blowing dust, soil,
or sand from one
place to another
Changes sand
dunes and fields

Sand Dunes
Large, loose deposits
of sand
Size and shape
depend on speed and
direction that winds
are blowing
More common in drier
landscapes
Easier for particles to
move through the air
Less plant life to hold
down soil

Fields
Bare, plowed fields
can become dry
Winds blow topsoil
off fields
Farmers plant trees
along edges of
fields to stop wind
Less they plow,
less erosion