Name _______________________________________ Period __________
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, and Landscapes Outline
Weathering
The ________________ of ______________ due to ____________ or
_____________ changes
Physical Weathering
Changes the ___________ and/or _____________ of a ____________ without
changing the ______________ composition
In ________________ action, __________ seeps into ____________ in rocks.

The water ________________ as it _____________ and makes ______________ in
the rock a little larger
When the ___________ melts and the liquid ___________________, the

rock is left more ___________________
Over time, the ______________ and ________________ in the cracks will

cause the rock to _______________
Physical Weathering
____________ roots grow in rock ________________ and gradually _________
the rock ___________
_________________
that _________________ beneath the ground will
______________ new rock _____________ to __________________
__________________________
occurs when rock ________________ are carried
in water, they __________ and _____________ against other ____________
Chemical Weathering
When rocks are _____________ to the _______________ and _______________,
they often undergo ______________ in the _______________ composition of rock,
forming new ________________________
Usually
requires ___________ and __________ to bring about _________ changes
Therefore,
it takes place more ____________ in ___________, _________
climates
Soil Formation
Soil is a _____________ of weathered __________ and ___________ remains the
usually covers _____________
The
weathering of ________ produces ____________ layers
The ___________ layer is usually the best for

growing ____________ because it is rich in
______________ remains called ____________
The next layer is usually ______________

enriched from ___________________ transporting
________________
The ________________ layer is composed of

____________-up ______________
Erosion of Sediments
____________________ are rocks that have been _____________ into _________
_________________
is the _______________ of ________________ away from
their place of ______________ and __________________ them elsewhere
_____________,
___________, ____________, and __________ erode
sediments
Erosion by Water
The _______________ particles are carried in ____________________
The
_____________ and most ___________ particles are __________ or
________________ along the streambed
Particles
of low ______________, such
as _____________ remains, are carried
along the _____________ by
________________
Velocity of Streams
The _____________ of a stream is controlled by the
____________ and the _____________ of water
_______________ in the stream (________________)
As
the stream ________________ increases, so does the
______________ of the water ________________ in the
stream
______________
is also increased by an _____________ in the ____________ of
___________ in the stream
There
is a direct __________________ between the ____________ of a ________
and the __________ of the _____________ it can transport
_____________
grains of _____________ can only be ______________ by fast-
moving water
Streams
with _____________, ____________ valleys often develop _____-shaped
curves called _____________________
At
the ____________ in the _____________, the _____________-flowing water
swings to the ______________ of the _________, causing _____________ along
the ______________ bank
The
_____________ moving water stays to the
____________ of the _________, causing
_______________
Erosion by Wind
_______________ can pick up _____________ rock materials, such as _________,
_________, and _______, and ___________ them away
_____________
erosion occurs mostly in _________ areas, such as ____________
and _________________
___________
blown by the wind can ___________ down material on a rock’s
surface
Erosion by Ice
If more ____________ accumulates in the __________ than _________ in the
______________, the __________ on the bottom turns to __________
If
it becomes ___________ enough, its ___________ will cause it to _________
under the pull of ___________
A
____________ is a large mass of __________ ice
As
a glacier ____________, it carries, pushes, and drags loose ________ material
The ___________, with pieces of __________, smoothes, striates (____________),

and _______________ bedrock
As a glacier _______________ through a ______________, it will make a ___-

shape instead of a ____-shape caused by ________
When the ___________ melts, unsorted ___________ and ___________ are left

scattered around on _______________ and sides of valleys
Deposition
When an agent of erosion _____________, or lays
down ___________ and ________________ of earth
materials (___________________)
Also
called ________________________-
Most
________________ takes place in _____________
Deposition Factors
Particle _____________
____________
particles (clay and silt) settle more ______________ than
cobbles and boulders
Particle
________________
Friction
between _____________ and the ______________ of particles
___________ down ___________
________________,
Particle
_____________ particles settle more ___________
______________
___________
particles settle _____________, ________ dense particles take
________________ time to settle
Settling
___________ and ___________
____________
that settle at a _____________ rate require
__________ time
As
the rate of settling ____________, the settling time _____________
Sorting of Sediments
__________________ sorting occurs at the
_________ of __________
The
____________ sediments can be carried a __________ distance from
shore
_________________
sorting occurs when a landscape
____________ a variety of particle sizes in to still water
Deposition by Wind
Usually sorts _____________ by __________
___________
bedding ____________ meet a different
____________
Deposition by Gravity
At the _________ of a _________, where __________ of weathered rock have
__________, you will find __________ of many different __________
The
______________ are not _______________
Deposition by Glaciers
Occurs when a ____________ melts and sediments are ____________
Glacial
_____________ are large ___________ that have been ____________ by
glacial _______________ without being ______________ into small particles
They are often found _____________ above __________ valleys

_____________
and striations (_________________) indicate transport by ______
Alpine Glaciers
Also known as ______________ glaciers, occur in ______________ regions, and
may ________ out __________-shaped ____________ with their moving _______
Continental Glaciers
Also known as ________ sheets causes _____________ of the ________ as rocks
are __________ within the _____________ or ____________ under the flowing ice
Glacial Features
__________ _________ – when glaciers act like ______________, grinding the
______________ edges from the __________________ and _______________ hard
bedrock _____________
__________________
– parallel ______________ and _____________ in the
bedrock left by the _____________ in the glacier
________________
– accumulation of _________ and _____________ that builds
up in ____________ of the flowing ice
___________________
– where the ice front ____________ its southward
advance, _________ of unsorted __________ and __________ remain
________________
– _________ spots in the glacial deposits and places where
large, ___________ ice blocks ______________ leave these dry ___________ and
___________ called _______________ _________________
North American Continental Glaciation
The Oceans and Coasts
_________________ covers almost _____% of our planet
The
average _________ is about ________ (______)
One
___________ of ____________ contains about _______% of dissolved _____
Sodium chloride (_____________) is the most _______________

When
__________________ of ocean water causes the _________ to become too
_____________ to stay in solution, they are _____________ as _______________
The
_________ of the oceans are places of __________ caused by the action of
___________ and ___________________ currents
Beach
________________ are _______________ and reduced in ________ by
________________ as the energy in the breaking _____________ causes the
______________ to __________ against one another
____________
is often transported along the ____________ and just outside the
breaking waves in the zone of _______________
_______________
This
__________________ of sand builds the
_______________ of the ocean ____________
including sand bars, barrier islands, and sand spits
Landscapes
A _____________ on Earth’s ____________ with physical ____________, such as
________, ____________, and ________________
The
___________ (__________________) and _____________ of the landscape is
determined by the ____________, ______________, geologic _____________, and
human activities
Topographic
_______________ is the change in _______________ between the
_________ and the _________ places
Landscape Regions
___________________ landscapes have the greatest ___________ between the
highest ___________ and the deepest ____________
A
great __________ of _______ types are common
____________
Stream
are common where _____________ tectonic _______ collide
______________ are __________, and the ___________ moving
streams quickly __________ deep _________ between the mountain peaks
_____________
landscapes are relatively _________ or ___________ uplands
where streams have ________ deep ___________
Commonly
Less
underlain by flat layers of _________________ rock
topographic __________ than mountains but _________ relief than the
plains
_____________
They
have the least topographic __________
may contain a _______ small ______, but are generally ______ and at
________ elevation
Commonly
underlain by flat layers of _______________ rock
Climate Influence on Regions
___________,
____________ climates usually have ___________ landscapes
_________
are _________ as steep because moist climates promote a
protective cover of _________________
___________
__________
With
cover _________ the soil from rapid ________ and ________
(______) climates usually produce _______ soils with ______ humus
_________ plant cover to protect the soil, _________ is carried
_________ during ____________
Large
areas of __________ bedrock and ________ rock faces are the result
Landscape Regions of the US
Landscape Regions of NY
Drainage Patterns
_____________
rocks will form ________ and __________
_____________
of the _____________ rock will make the major ___________
____________
will tend to follow zones of __________ rock and flow __________
Human Activities Can Affect Landscapes
____________
and _______________ projects can accelerate ____________ and
_____________ landscape development
______________
and ______________ must be guided in _____________ their
projects by appropriate _______________ practices
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, and Landscapes Outline -Teacher Guide (Key)
© Lisa Michalek
Weathering
 The breakdown of rocks due to physical or chemical changes
Physical Weathering
 Changes the size and/or shape of a rock without changing the chemical
composition
 In frost action, water seeps into cracks in rocks. The water expands as it freezes
and makes cracks in the rock a little larger
 When the ice melts and the liquid evaporates, the rock is left more porous
 Over time, the freezing and melting in the cracks will cause the rock to
crumble
 Plant roots grow in rock crevices and gradually push the rock apart
 Animals that burrow beneath the ground will expose new rock surfaces to
weathering
 Abrasion occurs when rock particles are carried in water, they bump and rub
against other rocks
Chemical Weathering
 When rocks are exposed to the atmosphere and hydrosphere, they often undergo
changes in the chemical composition of rock, forming new substances
 Usually requires heat and water to bring about chemical changes
 Therefore, it takes place more rapidly in warm, moist climates
Soil Formation
 Soil is a mixture of weathered rock and organic remains the usually covers bedrock
 The weathering of soil produces horizon layers
 The top layer is usually the best for growing crops because it is rich in organic
remains called humus
 The next layer is usually mineral enriched from groundwater transporting minerals
 The lowest layer is composed of broken-up bedrock
Erosion of Sediments
 Sediments are rocks that have been broken into fragments
 Erosion is the transporting of sediments away from their place of origin and depositing
them elsewhere
 Gravity, water, wind, and ice erode sediments
Erosion by Water
 The smallest particles are carried in solution
 The largest and most dense particles are rolled or bounced along the streambed
 Particles of low density, such as organic remains, are carried along the surface by
flotation
Velocity of Streams
 The velocity of a stream is controlled by the slope and the amount of water flowing in the
stream (discharge)
 As the stream gradient increases, so does the velocity of the water flowing in the stream
 Velocity is also increased by an increase in the quantity of water in the stream
 There is a direct relationship between the velocity of a stream and the size of the particles
it can transport
 Large grains of sediment can only be eroded by fast-moving water
 Streams with broad, flat valleys often develop S-shaped curves called meanders
 At the bends in the stream, the fastest-flowing water swings to the outside of the bends,
causing erosion along the outer bank
 The slowest moving water stays to the inside of the bends, causing deposition
Erosion by Wind
 Wind can pick up loose rock materials, such as sand, silt, and clay, and carry them away
 Wind erosion occurs mostly in dry areas, such as deserts and beaches
 Sand blown by the wind can erode down material on a rock’s surface
Erosion by Ice
 If more snow accumulates in the winter than melts in the summer, the snow on the bottom
turns to ice
 If it becomes thick enough, its weight will cause it to move under the pull of gravity
 A glacier is a large mass of moving ice
 As a glacier moves, it carries, pushes, and drags loose rock material
 The glacier, with pieces of rock, smoothes, striates (scratches),
and grooves bedrock
 As a glacier moves through a valley, it will make a U-shape instead of a V-shape caused
by water
 When the ice melts, unsorted rocks and boulders are left scattered around on hilltops and
sides of valleys
Deposition
 When an agent of erosion deposits, or lays down particles and fragments of earth
materials (sediments)
 Also called sedimentation
 Most deposition takes place in water
Deposition Factors
 Particle Size
 Smaller particles (clay and silt) settle more slowly than cobbles and boulders
 Particle Shape
 Friction between water and the surfaces of particles slows down settling
 Smooth, rounded particles settle more slowly
 Particle Density
 Denser particles settle faster, less dense particles take more time to settle
 Settling Rate and Time
 Sediments that settle at a faster rate require less time
 As the rate of settling increases, the settling time decreases
Sorting of Sediments
 Horizontal sorting occurs at the end of streams
 The smaller sediments can be carried a greater distance from shore
 Vertical sorting occurs when a landscape dumps a variety of particle sizes in to still water
Deposition by Wind
 Usually sorts sediments by size
 Cross bedding layers meet a different angles
Deposition by Gravity
 At the base of a cliff, where pieces of weathered rock have fallen, you will find pieces of
many different sizes
 The sediments are not sorted
Deposition by Glaciers
 Occurs when a glacier melts and sediments are released
 Glacial erratics are large rocks that have been transported by glacial ice without being
broken into small particles
 They are often found high above stream valleys
 Rounding and striations (scratches) indicate transport by glaciers
Alpine Glaciers
 Also known as valley glaciers, occur in mountain regions, and may carve out U-shaped
valleys with their moving ice
Continental Glaciers
 Also known as ice sheets causes sculpting of the land as rocks are carried within the
glacier or dragged under the flowing ice
Glacial Features
 Glacial Polish – when glaciers act like sandpaper, grinding the jagged edges from the
mountains and smoothing hard bedrock surfaces
 Striation – parallel grooves and scratches in the bedrock left by the rocks in the glacier
 Drumlins – accumulation of rock and soil that builds up in front of the flowing ice
 Moraines – where the ice front stops its southward advance, piles of unsorted soil and
rock remain
 Kettles – Low spots in the glacial deposits and places where large, buried ice blocks melt
leave these dry depressions and ponds called Kettle Lakes
The Oceans and Coasts
 Seawater covers almost 71% of our planet
 The average depth is about 4 km (3 mi)
 One Liter of seawater contains about 3.5% of dissolved solids
 Sodium chloride (table salt) is the most common
 When evaporation of ocean water causes the salts to become too concentrated to stay in
solution, they are precipitated as sediment
 The edges of the oceans are places of change caused by the action of waves and
longshore currents
 Beach sediments are rounded and reduced in size by abrasion as the energy in the
breaking waves causes the particles to rub against one another
 Sand is often transported along the beach and just outside the breaking waves in the
zone of longshore transport
 This movement of sand builds the features of the ocean shorelines including sand bars,
barrier islands, and sand spits
Landscapes
 A region on Earth’s surface with physical features, such as hills, valleys, and streams
 The shape (topography) and composition of the landscape is determined by the climate,
bedrock, geologic structures, and human activities
 Topographic relief is the change in elevation between the highest and the lowest places
Landscape Regions
 Mountain landscapes have the greatest relief between the highest peaks and the deepest
valleys
 A great variety of rock types are common
 Mountains are common where converging tectonic plates collide
 Stream gradients are high, and the fast moving streams quickly erode deep valleys
between the mountain peaks
 Plateau landscapes are relatively flat or rolling uplands where streams have cut deep
valleys
 Commonly underlain by flat layers of sedimentary rock
 Less topographic relief than mountains but more relief than the plains
 Plains have the least topographic relief
 They may contain a few small hills, but are generally flat and at low elevation
 Commonly underlain by flat layers of sedimentary rock
Climate Influence on Regions
 Moist, Humid climates usually have rounded landscapes
 Slopes are not as steep because moist climates promote a protective cover of vegetation
 Plants cover protects the soil from rapid runoff and erosion
 Arid (dry) climates usually produce thin soils with little humus
 With little plant cover to protect the soil, sediment is carried away during rainfall
 Large areas of exposed bedrock and steep rock faces are the result
Drainage Patterns
 Harder rocks will form hills and ridges
 Erosion of the weaker rock will make the major valleys
 Streams will tend to follow zones of weaker rock and flow downhill
Human Activities Can Affect Landscapes
 Farming and construction projects can accelerate erosion and effect landscape
development
 Farmers and engineers must be guided in planning their projects by appropriate
conservation practices