Weathering, Erosion, and
Deposition
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering happens when a
physical force breaks rocks apart.
What forces do you
think might break
down rock?
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering happens when a
physical force breaks rocks apart.
a. Abrasion
1) Abrasion happens when rocks bump
or scrape each other and break off
pieces of each other.
2) Wind, flowing water, or glaciers can
cause abrasion.
What factors do you
think affect how
much abrasion
happens in a river?
What could
have cracked
up these rocks?
(I’m pretty sure
it wasn’t my
jokes.)
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering happens when a
physical force breaks rocks apart.
a. Abrasion …
b. Ice Wedging
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering happens when a
physical force breaks rocks apart.
a. Abrasion …
b. Ice Wedging
c. Plant root growth
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering happens when a
physical force breaks rocks apart.
a. Abrasion …
b. Ice Wedging
c. Plant root growth
d. Animal Actions
Do you think rocks
are more or less
likely to break if
they contain
rusted iron?
Why are these
rocks that redorange color?
I. Weathering
A. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks
into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical Weathering …
2. Chemical Weathering happens when
chemicals in a rock react with other
chemicals around it making the rock weaker.
1. Iron in rocks can rust. (oxidation)
2. Acid rain can react with carbonate in
rocks.
II. Erosion
A. Erosion occurs when rock or soil is carried
away.
B. Causes of Erosion
1. Water running down hill (rivers, streams)
2. Glaciers (rivers of ice)
3. Wind
4. Gravity (landslides, mudslides)
How was this
landform created?
III. Deposition
A. Deposition occurs when soil or rock are set
down in a new location.
B. Effects of Deposition
1. Rivers and streams create deposits called
deltas and alluvial fans.
(creates fertile soil)
What is the source
of the soil
deposited in this
delta?
III. Deposition
A. Deposition occurs when soil or rock are set
down in a new location.
B. Effects of Deposition
1. Rivers and streams create deposits called
deltas and alluvial fans.
2. When wind deposits sand, it forms dunes.
III. Deposition
A. Deposition occurs when soil or rock are set
down in a new location.
B. Effects of Deposition
1. Rivers and streams create deposits called
deltas and alluvial fans.
2. When wind deposits sand, it forms dunes.
3. When waves deposit sand on the shore,
beaches form.
How did this piece
of wood get here?
What about all
that other stuff?
III. Deposition
B. Effects of Deposition
1. Rivers and streams create deposits called
deltas and alluvial fans.
2. When wind deposits sand, it forms dunes.
3. When waves deposit sand on the shore,
beaches form.
4. Sediments form layers that can eventually
become rock. (lithification)
Weathering and Erosion Supe r Hero Cartoon
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