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Science
Quarter 1 – Module 5
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

Photo credit:Caramoan Islands by Kelvin Clores, 06/02/2020

Science– Grade 11
Quarter 1 – Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

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Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
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Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials
from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent
nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Joni S. Aborde

Editors: Emily B. Esmabe

Reviewers: Benjie O. Cadag; Chozara P. Duroy

Illustrator: Frances C. Morales

Layout Artist: Christy R. Dawal

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 Explain how the products of weathering
are carried away by erosion and deposited
elsewhere.
(S11/12ES-1b-12)

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 Have you visited the islands in Caramoan or other islands in Bicol Region
similar in land features? Caramoan is an internationally famous tourist destination in
Camarines Sur. What is in this island that makes it attractive to tourists?

Rock formations and the white beach in Caramoan islands add wonder to the
natural landscape. These features are due to a series of geologic processes occurring
at the Earth’s surface known as the exogenic processes. These include weathering,
erosion and deposition. These processes break rocks into smaller particles and
transport them to lower locations through the action of natural agents like wind, water
and ice. Together, they carve and change the shape of rocks, giving rise to interesting
formations.

This module will allow you to explore more about exogenic processes and how
they impact our landscape.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. explain how weathering, erosion and deposition occur;

2. identify agents of weathering, erosion and deposition;
3. cite the results of weathering, erosion and deposition;
4. trace how rock materials are carried away through the action of natural agents;
5. appreciate the impact brought about by exogenic processes.

Let us unlock some unfamiliar terms that you will encounter in this module.

1. Weathering is the breaking down of rock material into smaller sizes through
mechanical and chemical means.
2. Thawing is the process by which ice turns from solid to liquid or semi-liquid
state.
3. Erosion is the removal and transport of rock materials from their original
location to another location.

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 4. Arid means an extremely dry land.
5. Grooves are long cuts or indentations on hard materials like rocks.
6. Striations refers to scratches or lines that usually run parallel each other.
7. Deposition is the process by which sediments are dropped off by agents of
erosion.
8. Solifluction refers to the slow downslope movement of water-saturated soil.
9. Permafrost is a layer under the Earth’s surface that has been frozen
permanently or for a very long time.
10. Exogenic processes are geological processes occurring at the earth’s
surface.

Before you proceed, let us check what you know about the new lesson. Answer
the questions below and write the letter of the correct answer in your notebook.

1. A seed germinates in a rock’s small crack. The growing root eventually splits the
rock into two. What exogenic process is demonstrated by this?
a. mechanical weathering
b. chemical weathering
c. erosion
d. deposition

2. Which of the following is formed from a mixture of weathered rocks, organic matter,
air and moisture?
a. soil
b. humus
c. glacier
d. boulder

3. Which CANNOT be considered as an active agent of erosion in the Philippines?

a. wind
b. water
c. gravity
d. glacier

4. A piece of rock rolls down a cliff. What process in involved here?

a. weathering
b. erosion
c. deposition
d. rock formation

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5. Which of the following is an example of slow mass wasting?
a. creep
b. avalanche
c. mudflow
d. landslide

This time, let us recall what you learned from the previous lessons about
minerals and rocks.

Arrange the jumbled letters to reveal the correct words being described. Write
your answer in your notebook.
1. molten rock (agmam)
2. change in form (mapmesthorim)
3. hardest mineral (odimand)
4. an igneous rock (tregani)
5. small rock particles (mesdient)
6. a metamorphic rock (barmle)
7. building block of rocks (alminser)
8. resistance to scratching (eshdarns)
9. most abundant mineral-forming element (engoxy)
10. compacting and hardening of sediments (ontificalithi)

Let us explore weathering, erosion and deposition by doing these activities.

Activity 1
Break It Down

Identify the type of weathering that caused the breaking of rock in each situation
below. Write “mechanical weathering” or “chemical weathering” in your notebook.

1. Rock expands when hot and contracts when cold. Repeated expansion and
contraction split a rock into pieces.
2. Burrowing animals loosened rock particles and broke them apart.

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 3. Naturally-formed acid came in contact with a rock. After several years, minerals
in rock disintegrated and turned into sediments.
4. Oxygen in water reacted with iron in rocks forming rust. Due to rusting, the rock
became brittle and later broke into fine particles.
5. A boulder rolled down a cliff then shattered into pieces upon hitting the base.

Activity 2
Shape It Up

Name the agent of erosion that is primarily responsible in shaping the landform
shown in the pictures. Choose the answer from options inside the box. Write the
answer in your notebook.
glacier gravity water wind

1.

https://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/caramoan-
travel-and-tour-packages/
-

2.

https://www.needpix.com

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3.

https://www.needpix.com

4.

https://www.needpix.com

5.

https://www.needpix.com

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 Activity 3
Name It Out
Identify the mass wasting events shown by the pictures below. Write your
answer in your notebook.

1.

https://www.needpix.com

2.

https://www.needpix.com

3.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10507347

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4.

https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/194306a2-c8b0-4446-b26d-1ef7d37b17d1

5.

https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/94904a4a-1a1b-4f0f-83d0-ad4e2391494e

Weathering

Weathering is a process by which rocks are broken into smaller fragments. This
process is due to rocks’ exposure to varying temperature, pressure, substances and
biological actions. Weathering can either be mechanical or chemical.

Mechanical weathering happens when a large rock breaks into pieces

physically without alteration in its chemical composition. For instance, the root of a
plant growing in a crack of a boulder will eventually split the rock into smaller parts. In
colder countries, water that gets into the pores of a rock may freeze and then thaw;
alternate freezing and thawing splits rocks apart. In deserts, too much heat causes
rock particles to expand and to contract when cooled; alternate expansion and

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contraction also results to breaking of rocks. When you kick a piece of rock and it
crumbles down to pieces, you become an agent of mechanical weathering.

Source: https://www.needpix.com/photo/1383460/rocksformation-caramoanisland-rocks-rockstonecentersea-stones-
bigstones-tallrocks- rockswall-stonewall

Figure 1. Plants growing in cracks of a big rock.

On the contrary, chemical weathering requires chemical reaction between rock

minerals and other substances in the environment in order to break rocks. For
example, the iron component of rocks may react with oxygen in water to form rust; rust
makes the rocks weak and brittle causing them to disintegrate. Limestone, a
carbonate-containing rock, may decompose when carbon dioxide comes in contact
with it. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by rainwater and brought to the ground. As
groundwater enters pores and cracks in limestone, the rock dissolves. Gradually, an
opening is created forming a cave. Sometimes, water dissolves some minerals in
rocks like calcite and halite, causing their molecules to dissociate into ions and to be
carried away by water. This makes the rock weak and brittle.

https://www.needpix.com/photo/587721/limestone-stalactite-sta-subterranean-caving-mountain-speleology-stalgtite-
stalagmite

Figure 2. A cave is formed through decomposition of limestone.

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 Mechanical and chemical weathering work together to produce fine, loose rock
particles called sediments. Sand, silt and clay are terms used to describe the size of
sediment. Gradually, sediments turn into soil, a highly valuable resource. Soil is
composed of weathered rock particles, organic matter, mineral fragments, water and
air.

https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics

Figure 3. Soil profile showing the underlying parent rock material.

Factors Affecting Weathering

The type, extent and rate of weathering are affected by climate, rock type, rock
structure, slope and duration of exposure.
• Climate. Chemical weathering is more effective and rapid in regions with high
temperature and rainfall. Temperature has a significant effect in hastening
chemical reactions happening in rocks. Water plays an important role in
mechanical weathering as well as in carrying-out most reactions in chemical
weathering.
• Rock type. Some rocks have different degree of resistance to mechanical and
chemical weathering. Quartzite, a hard but brittle rock, is highly resistant to
chemical weathering but less resistant to mechanical weathering. Some rock
types are more susceptible to weathering than others. For example, marble can
be weathered more easily than granite when exposed to similar conditions.
• Rock structure. Weathering agents may enter a rock mass though its joints,
faults, folds and bedding planes. High number of these entry points makes
rocks less resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering.
• Slope. Weathering is faster in steeper slopes than in less steep slopes.
• Duration of exposure. Rocks that are exposed to weathering agents for a longer
period of time is more likely to weather easily.

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Erosion and Deposition

Weathering makes rocks smaller and lighter, thus easier to be moved and
transported. When rock particles are moved from one place to another, the process
is called erosion. As agents of erosion carry the rock particles, they lose energy until
such point that they can no longer hold them. Rock sediments are then dropped to
certain locations, usually of lower elevation. Deposition is the process by which
sediments are dropped off by agents of erosion.

Erosion and deposition are facilitated primarily by gravity, along with the other
erosion agents- water, wind, and glaciers.

Agents of Erosion

• Water
Rainwater that does not soak or evaporate runs over the ground,
carrying with it rock particles. This surface runoff eventually enters a body of
water such as streams, lakes and oceans. As water continues to move along,
it picks up sediments. Lightweight sediments become suspended in water and
are carried away by water while heavier particles roll along the bottom. Large
ocean waves pound along edges of land, wearing down rocks in it. Sediments
deposited in ocean basins may gradually undergo lithification to form
sedimentary rocks.

• Wind
Loose rock and soil particles are carried away by wind and are deposited
at other places. Wind is capable of transporting light particles over large areas
thousands of kilometers away. When wind blows strongly, it may pick larger
particles causing sand storm in deserts and arid regions. A dust storm may take
place when fast wind lifts dry and fine soil particles.

• Glaciers
Glacier is a large mass of ice and snow that forms in colder parts of the
world. As glaciers move across land, they erode solid rocks and deposit eroded
materials somewhere. When ice at the base of a glacier melts, water penetrates
the pores and cracks of the rock beneath it. As water refreezes, rock fragments
are plucked by the ice and are dragged along to different locations. Glacial
erosion scars rock surface forming grooves and striations.

• Gravity
Gravity is a major force that drives erosion and deposition. Soil and
weathered materials in high elevations like hills and mountain are pulled down
by gravity. Loose rocks on a steep slope may roll downside and deposit

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materials at the base. The downslope movement of large amounts of soil and
rock particles due the effect of gravity is called mass wasting or mass
movement. Mass wasting can be slow or fast.

Slow mass wasting occurs gradually. Creep is the slow movement of

particles from higher to lower elevations. It happens very slowly that it is almost
unnoticeable, yet it is the most widespread affecting nearly all slopes with
weathered rocks at the surface. Trunk of trees bending to similar direction in a
slope is an indication of soil creep. This effect can be visible only after several
years. Solifluction or soil flow is another form of slow mass wasting. It occurs in
tundra regions that have permafrost, a permanently frozen underground layer
that prevent downward movement of water. As frozen ice melts in the surface
during summer, soil becomes water-saturated and heavy such that it sags
downslope due to gravity.

Falls, flows, slides and avalanches are examples of fast mass wasting.
A fall occurs when rock materials break loose then fall freely through the air. A
flow is the movement of water-saturated rock particles in a slope. When
materials slip directly downslope, the movement is called a slide. When the
slide occurs along a curve, it is a slump. Landslide is a general term used to
refer to any form or combinations of large, fast mass wasting events.

https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2019/11/04/cotabato-landslides/

Figure 4. A landslide deposits huge amount of rock materials downslope.

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 This picture shows the bottom of a stream. In your notebook, make a sequence
chart following the given template to trace how the rounded rock materials were able
to reach the stream bed.

https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/892285/river-stones-water-flow-free-pictures-free-photos-free-
images-royalty-free-free-illustrations

Sequence chart template:

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 Study the pictures below. Based from the pictures, how do humans intervene
with the natural process of weathering, erosion and deposition? Write your answer in
your notebook.

Image by: Joni S. Aborde

https://www.needpix.com/photo/1654611/open-pit-mining-carbon- https://www.needpix.com/photo/1009285/construction-site-
industry-brown-coal-mining-technology-industrial-plant-excavators- georgia-usa-landscape-dirt-red-clay-dirt-construction-site-
bucket-wheel-excavators architecture

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Using the picture below, explain how weathering, erosion and deposition has affected
the land surface. Write the answer in your notebook.

https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1678133/creek-flow-erosion-geology-mountain-eroded-stones-free-
pictures-free-photos

Let us always remember these key concepts:

• Rocks are broken down into smaller pieces through the process of
weathering.

• Weathered rocks are then transported into other locations through the action
of gravity, wind, water, and glaciers in a process called erosion.

• When rock particles are finally dropped off or deposited by agents of erosion,
deposition occurs.

• Gravity is the major force behind erosion and deposition.

• Mass wasting or mass movement takes place when gravity pulls down
large amount of soil and rock particles into lower locations.

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 Answer the following questions. Write the letter of your
answer in your notebook.

1. Alternating hot and cold temperature causes repeated expansion and compression
of rock materials which breaks the rock apart. What exogenic process is illustrated by
this situation?
a. erosion
b. deposition
c. chemical weathering
d. mechanical weathering

2. Surface run-off brings fine rock particles from land to bodies of water. What process
is being described by this statement?
a. erosion
b. mass wasting
c. chemical weathering
d. mechanical weathering

3. Which CANNOT be considered as an active agent of erosion in the Philippines?

a. wind
b. water
c. gravity
d. glacier

4. Which of the following features is formed mainly through deposition of rock particles
alongside a body of water?
a. cave
b. beach
c. spring
d. water table

5. Erosion has advantages and disadvantages. Which of the following is an advantage

of erosion?
a. It may cause rock materials to clog waterways.
b. It removes the fertile topsoil that is useful in farming.
c. It can expose new rock layers that are rich in minerals.
d. It can destruct structures such as bridges and buildings.

6. Which statement is true about all agents of erosion?

a. They transfer large sediments faster than smaller ones.
b. They erode moist materials more easily than dry materials.
c. They pick up sediments only when they have enough energy.
d. They carry rock materials from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

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7. What is the major force that causes mass wasting of soil and rock materials?
a. uplift
b. thrust
c. friction
d. gravity

8. Which of the following is an example of slow fast wasting?

a. rock fall
b. avalanche
c. landslide
d. solifluction

9. Which statement is FALSE about mass wasting?

a. It happens very quickly.
b. It is primarily caused by gravity.
c. It deposits materials to lower locations.
d. It involves large amount of rock materials.

10. One of the following land features is NOT formed by exogenic processes. Which
one is it?
a. cave
b. beach
c. mountain
d. sand dune

The image below shows the tragic landslide in Sagñay,

Camarines Sur on December 29, 2019. This event left the villagers devastated due to
fatalities, casualties, loss of dwellings and source of income. If you were a resident of
the place, what would you do to develop the eroded area to make it productive again?

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REFERENCES

Commission on Higher Education (2016).Teaching Guide for Senior High School.

Earth and Life Science.
Feather, R. M. Jr, Snydder, S.L, Zike, D. (2002). Earth Science. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Companies. United States of America.
Papa, R.D, et al. (2016). Earth and Life Science, Knowing and Understanding Nature.
Abiva Publishing House, Inc. Araneta Ave., Quezon City.
Petersen, J.F., et al (2016). Earth and Life Sciences. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Manila,
Philippines.
Salandanan, G., Faltado, R. and Lopez, M. (2016). Earth and Life Sciences For Senior
High School (Core Subject). Lorimar Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, Metro
Manila.

IMAGE SOURCES:

• Kelvin Clores, Caramoan Islands

• https://www.needpix.com/photo/1383460/rocksformation-caramoanisland-
rocks-rockstonecentersea-stones-bigstones-tallrocks-rockswall-stonewall
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/587721/limestone-stalactite-sta-subterranean-
caving-mountain-speleology-stalgtite-stalagmite
• https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics
• https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2019/11/04/cotabato-landslides/
• https://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/caramoan-
travel-and-tour-packages/
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/40217/sand-dunes-dunes-national-
park-oregon-usa-coastal-line-scenery-coast-shoreline-trees
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1366877/mountain-slide-trees-
avalanche-mountain-slide-trees-avalanche-free-pictures-free-photos-free-
images-royalty-free
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1524105/cave-caves-oregon-
geology-mountain-cave-free-pictures-free-photos-free-images
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/412611/glacial-footprints-fractures-
free-pictures-free-photos-free-images-royalty-free-free-illustrations
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/277736/avalanche-mount-everest-snow-
landscape-ice-panorama
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/161224/rock-crash-avalanche-tear-
off-tabs-rock-avalanche-scree-road-abyss-locked-blocking
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10507347
• https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/194306a2-c8b0-4446-b26d-
1ef7d37b17d1
• https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/94904a4a-1a1b-4f0f-83d0-
ad4e2391494e
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/1678133/creek-flow-erosion-
geology-mountain-eroded-stones-free-pictures-free-photos

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• https://www.needpix.com/photo/download/892285/river-stones-water-flow-
free-pictures-free-photos-free-images-royalty-free-free-illustrations
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/1009285/construction-site-georgia-usa-
landscape-dirt-red-clay-dirt-construction-site-architecture
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/1654611/open-pit-mining-carbon-industry-
brown-coal-mining-technology-industrial-plant-excavators-bucket-wheel-
excavators
• https://www.needpix.com/photo/1654611/open-pit-mining-carbon-industry-
brown-coal-mining-technology-industrial-plant-excavators-bucket-wheel-
excavators
• https://www.untvweb.com/news/death-toll-in-sagnay-camsur-landslide-now-at-
30-16-others-missing/

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 ANSWER KEY

Try this
1. a 2. a 3. d 4. b 5. a

Do this
1. magma 6. marble
2. metamorphism 7. minerals
3. diamond 8. hardness
4. granite 9. oxygen
5. sediment 10. lithification

Explore
Activity 1
1. mechanical weathering
2. mechanical weathering
3. chemical weathering
4. chemical weathering
5. mechanical weathering

Activity 2
1. water 2. wind 3. gravity 4. water 5. glacier

Activity 3
1. avalanche 2. rock fall 3. soil creep 4. mudflow 5. solifluction

Apply what you have learned

Answers may vary. Below is a sample sequence chart.

How Rocks Reach the Stream Bed

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Think over
Answers may vary. Below is a sample of a correct response.

Based from the pictures, human activities intervene in the natural process of
weathering, erosion and deposition through removal and transport of large portion of
soil and rocks intended for engineering, industrial and agricultural purposes. These
activities alter the natural course of water flow and decrease the water-holding
capacity of rocks and soil which will then result to increased rate of weathering, erosion
and deposition.

Reinforcement
Answers may vary. Sample answer is given below:

The picture shows a mountain side and a stream. It can be seen from the picture
that plants have grown on the surface. This means that rocks in this area have been
weathered and turned into soil. It is also observable that some rock materials in the
mountain have been stripped-off. This is an evidence that erosion has taken place.
Smaller pieces of rocks that have been eroded are deposited at the base of the
mountain and are carried away by the stream flow.

Assess what you have learned

1. d 2. a 3. d 4. b 5. c 6. c 7. d 8. d 9. a 10. c

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