Wind and

Water

WIND AND WATER

CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE LAND
 WIND
Wind is the moving air that we can feel but cannot
see. It can be a gentle breeze or a strong gust. Wind is
caused by the air around us moving from one place to
another. It can blow leaves, make flags flutter, and
even help us fly kites.
 WATER
Water is a transparent, odorless, and tasteless
substance that covers a significant portion of the
Earth's surface. It can be found in oceans, lakes,
rivers, and even underground. Water can be in
different forms: as a liquid when we see it in rivers
and lakes, as ice when it's very cold, and as water
vapor that we can't see when it turns into steam.
 EROSION
Moving water and wind can change the shape of the
land by carrying and moving pieces of the Earth from
one place to another. This is a natural process called
erosion. Erosion happens over time as wind and water
act like tools, wearing away the land and reshaping
the landscape.
 INCREDIBLE LANDFORMS SHAPED BY EROSION
REAL WORLD EXAMPLES

THE GRAND CANYON TWELVE APOSTLES KIRKJUFELL MOUNTAIN

ARIZONA, U.S. VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA SNÆFELLSNES, ICELAND
THE
GRAND
CANYON
The Grand Canyon was formed over millions
of years through the powerful forces of
erosion by the Colorado River. The river
slowly cut through the land, making the
canyon deeper and wider. The flowing water
eroded the rocks and soil, creating a
magnificent and beautiful canyon with
different-colored layers of rocks.
THE
TWELVE
APOSTLES
The Twelve Apostles were formed by the
ocean waves over a long time. The waves
wore away the rocks and made big columns of
rock called sea stacks. There used to be
twelve, but now there are eight left because of
erosion. The ocean waves keep changing the
land and making it look different.
KIRKJUFEL
L
MOUNTAIN
Kirkjufell mountain was formed through the
process of erosion. Over thousands of years,
wind, ice, and water wore away the
surrounding rocks, shaping the mountain into
its distinctive cone-like form. Erosion carved
the steep slopes and jagged ridges, creating
the iconic landmark we see today.

EROSION CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL REASONS
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
Erosion can negatively
impact ecosystems. It can
disrupt habitats, damage
plant and animal
populations, and reduce
biodiversity.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
DAMAGE TO
INFRASTRUCTURE
Erosion can damage
infrastructure such as roads,
bridges, and buildings.
When the land erodes
beneath these structures, it
can weaken their
foundations.
LOSS OF FERTILE
SOIL
Erosion can wash away or
carry away the top layer of
fertile soil, which is
essential for growing plants.
EFFECTS ON WATER
QUALITY
Erosion can transport
sediment and pollutants
from the land into water
bodies. This can degrade
water quality, and harm
aquatic ecosystems.
HOW DO WE STOP
WIND AND WATER
FROM TOTALLY
CHANGING THE
LAND WE LIVE ON?
We don't always want the land we live on
to change, so we can use science to slow
down or stop erosion.
PLANTING VEGETATION
Planting vegetation, such as grass, trees, and shrubs, is a great
way to prevent erosion. The roots of plants help hold the soil
in place, making it less likely to be washed away by wind or
water. The leaves and branches of plants also provide a
barrier, reducing the impact of raindrops and slowing down
the flow of water.
BUILD A RETAINING WALL
Building retaining walls is another approach to prevent
erosion. Retaining walls are sturdy structures made of
materials like stone, concrete, or wood, which hold
back the soil on steep slopes.