Name:_________________________________ Period:____
Erosion and Weathering Project /
10 Points will be deducted for losing this Paper (You must turn in this paper!)
OBJECTIVE:
Show examples of weathering and erosion in your surroundings
o Determine the causes of weathering
o Develop ways of preventing erosion
Due Date: TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015
Late Projects will be accepted with a penalty of 10 Points/Day
BACKGROUND/IMPORTANT TERMS:
The Earth’s crust is constantly being reshaped by constructive and destructive forces. Over
time, weathering due to chemical action (dissolving, oxidation, acid rain, etc.) and
mechanical action (root action, sand blasting, frost/ice wedging, etc.) breaks huge slabs of
solid rock into small pieces called sediments. The sediments are moved to a new location
through the process of erosion. These sediments settle out in a new location through the
process of deposition. These deposits can be turned into sedimentary rocks through
compaction and cementation.
Agents of erosion include currents of air or water and glacial movement.
PROCEDURE:
1. Take a tour of the school grounds, a local park, cemetery or your neighborhood to find
evidence of weathering and erosion.
2. Take pictures with a film or digital camera or create color drawings which illustrate
weathering and erosion in action.
3. Each photograph or drawing must be clearly labeled and explaining what it shows (Note:
Only two examples can be from internet resources.)
Examples of weathering and erosion include but are not limited to:
o Rock that has been cracked due to frost wedging
o Rock that has been cracked due to tree roots
o Rock with layers that are peeling or breaking
o Lichens growing on a rock
o Rock that is “rusting” or oxidizing (don't confuse lichen with rust)
o Rock that has been worn due to salt water or acid rain exposure
o Rocks smoothed by running water.
o Running water making sorted sediment deposits
o Cracked sidewalks, metal with rust, copper with signs of oxidation
4. Make a report or brochure, or wall poster showing:
a) 5 (Five) examples of weathering and erosion shown by the clearly labeled illustrations,
giving the location, explaining what the type of weathering it shows and at least one way to
stop, slow down or repair each of the examples of weathering or erosion you have chosen.
If it is not necessary to remedy the weathering or erosion, explain why.
b) Report, brochure or wall poster must have your name and class period clearly printed on
the front.
Grading Rubric:
Points:
Examples
4
5 or more
examples of
weathering
or erosion
Content
Weathering
and erosion
are correctly
identified
Location
Five
locations are
identified
Presentation Presentation
has no
misspellings
or
grammatical
errors.
Attractiveness
The poster is
exceptionally
attractive in
terms of
design,
layout, and
neatness.
3
4 examples
of
weathering
or erosion
80% of the
examples
are correct
2
3 examples
of
weathering
or erosion
60% of the
examples
are correct
Four
locations are
identified
Presentation
has no more
than two
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors
The poster is
attractive in
terms of
design,
layout and
neatness.
Three
locations are
identified
Presentation
had three
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors
The poster is
acceptably
attractive
though it
may be a bit
messy.
Total:
Project Points total: ___________________________/ (20 Points max)
1
1-2
examples of
weathering
or erosion
Weathering
and/or
erosion is not
identified
One or two
locations are
identified
Student’s
presentation
had four or
more spelling
errors and/or
grammatical
errors
The poster is
distractingly
messy or
very poorly
designed. It
is not
attractive.
0
Missing or
not included
Missing or
not included
Missing or
not included
Missing or
not included
Missing or
not included