1. FORCES that SHAPE the LANDSCAPE Chapter 14 Introduction

2. The PROCESSES… The landscape is altered by 3 main processes:
WEATHERING: the breaking down of rock material by physical or chemical means.
EROSION: the transport of weathered materials.
DEPOSITION: the putting down or emplacement of eroded material.

3. may the FORCES be with you…..
A variety of forces act on our landscape and cause weathering, erosion, and deposition. Here is a look at several of the most important ones…

4. PLATE TECTONICS
The STRESS associated with the movement of earth’s crustal plates can created major, long-term changes in the landscape.
MOUNTAINS, OCEANS, RIFTS (tears in the crust) to name some of the major changes…

5. Streams, Rivers, Precipitation
RUNNING WATER
Streams, Rivers, Precipitation
All of these types of water act to break, move, and deposit materials, carving and re-shaping the earth’s landscape.

6. GLACIERS
These sheets or rivers of ice can carve deep scars into the landscape, and can move massive amounts of material from one location to another. The evidence for glaciers can be found at both a small and large scale.

7. MASS WASTING
The downhill movement of material under the influence of gravity.
This includes slumps, creep, landslides, mudslides, rock falls, etc…

8. WIND
Wind can play a roll by carrying material (especially sand and clay) from one place to another.
When suspended in the air by wind, sand can “blast” or abrade rock, breaking it down (“weathering”).

9. HUMANS
Humans are constantly influencing the nature of our landscapes. HOUSES, ROADS, BUILDINGS, DEVELPMENTS, CANALS, etc., all change the shape and appearance of the land.