This document discusses various processes of erosion and deposition. It describes five main agents that cause erosion: gravity, glaciers, wind, running water, and ocean waves. Each agent breaks down and transports material, then deposits sediments in new locations to form landforms like moraines, drumlins, deltas, and beaches. Gravity causes rapid mass movement or slow creeping. Glaciers carry debris and leave piles of debris called moraines. Wind erodes loose material from deserts and fields, depositing loess and dunes. Running water is a major cause, forming canyons and depositing material in river deltas and flood plains. Ocean waves erode shorelines, depositing beaches, spits, and barrier
2. Breaking Down Processes
Weathering
The breaking down of the earth’s material by
natural processes.
Erosion
The process by which weathered rock and soil
particles are moved from place to place.
Deposition
The process by which weathered sediments are
laid down in a new location creating new
landforms.
3. 5 Agents of Erosion
Gravity
Glaciers
Wind
Surface Water / Running Water
Ocean Shoreline / Ocean Waves
4. Gravity
Pulls rock and soil down a slope
Called Mass Movement
Rapid
Rockslides
Mudflow
Avalanche
7. Glaciers
Carry very large to very small debris
Most powerful agent
Deposits
Form piles called moraines
Drumlins – little mounds
Glacial lakes
Kettle lakes
U-shaped valleys
13. Wind
Removes loose material from the earth’s
surface.
Amount of material carried depends on wind speed
Most active in deserts, plowed fields, beaches
deserts
Deposits by wind
Loess- layer of fine silt or sand
Dunes- mounds of sand
16. Running Water
MAJOR CAUSE OF EROSION
When water moves it carries particle called the
load.
load
Speed of water determines the size of the load
Creates canyons and valleys
River deposits
Delta
Oxbow lake
Flood plains