Lecture Notes: Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

Key Vocabulary

• Weathering: Breaking down of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces.
• Erosion: Movement of sediments from one place to another.
• Deposition: Dropping or settling of sediments in a new location.

Weathering

• Definition: The process of rocks breaking down into smaller pieces.
• Agents:
  • Wind and Water: Smooth rocks by wearing them down (e.g., smooth rocks in rivers).
  • Glaciers:
    • Large masses of ice that grind down rocks as they move.
    • Example of scale: People vs. glaciers in pictures.
  • Ice:
    • Freezes in cracks, expands, and eventually breaks rocks apart.
    • Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can take a long time to break down rocks.
  • Examples: Cracked rocks due to ice weathering.

Erosion

• Definition: Transportation of sediments from one location to another.
• Agents:
  • Rivers and Water Bodies: Carry sediments downstream (e.g., brown river full of sediments).
  • Wind: Especially in deserts, where sand is blown across landscapes.
  • Water from Floods: Can erode soil and carry it away.

Deposition

• Definition: Process where sediments are dropped or settled in a new place.
• Examples:
  • Rivers: When water slows down, sediments settle out, forming bottoms in lakes or ocean.
  • Sand Dunes: Formed as wind blows and deposits sand in new locations, building dunes.
  • Deltas:
    • Formed at river mouths as sediments are deposited into the ocean.
    • Nutrient-rich soils build up over time, facilitating plant growth.

Conclusion

• Understanding these processes helps in grasping how landscapes are shaped and changed over time.
• Review these terms and processes to solidify comprehension.