The Process of Erosion and Deposition of Sediments

Erosion and Deposition The transportation and relocation of sediments weathered from rocks

Erosion The movement of weathered rocks by natural forces There are at least 6 processes that can cause erosion. 1.Wind 2.Water 3.Waves 4.Gravity 5.Ice 6.Bioerosion

Wind Small sediments can be carried in the air by the wind. Erosion by abrasion may occur as particles come in contact with solid objects. Larger sediments can be rolled along the ground.

Water Fast moving water has a lot of energy and can carry larger pieces of rocks and sediments. Slow moving water has less energy and can only carry tiny particles of sediment. When water loses energy, the sediments settle out.

Waves Grinding of materials brought by the waves against the shore. This forms sand. This can take over 100 years. Action of saltwater on the minerals in the rocks causes chemical changes in the rock by dissolving the minerals.

Gravitational Erosion Downward movement of rock and sediment down a slope due to the pull of gravity The process is quite slow and almost impossible to see until the land mass is no longer able to support itself and falls or slides down a slope.

Erosion by Glacial Ice Ice moves and carries rocks, grinding the rocks beneath it. During abrasion, smaller rocks act like large pieces of sand paper and cause grooves to be carved into the land.

Bioerosion Erosion of ocean rocks by living animals

Deposition The laying down or dropping off of sediments that were carried to a new location from another location Deposition can be transported by wind, water, or ice.

Deposition of Wind Wind can transport material suspended in the air, hundreds of km from its original location.

Deposition of Water Water will carry sediments until the flow slows down enough to drop the sediments.

Deposition of Ice Melting glaciers leave materials behind. Includes huge boulders (erratics), piles of smaller rocks (moraines), glacial lakes, clay, and sand (till)