Images from Google Earth Examples of the Effects of Weathering, Erosion and Deposition on Ecoregions of Texas Images from Google Earth

http://www.canyongorge.org/ Watch a video on the site above. This was on google earth. Can search “how canyon lake gorge was formed”. Description:  Canyon Lake Gorge formed during a flood event in July 2002. Over 89 cm of rain fell in the upper part of the Guadalupe River Watershed in approximately one week causing tremendous flooding.

Erosion in the Coastal Prairies and Marshes - Ecoregion 2 Erosion: The movement of weathered earth materials by moving water, wind, gravity or ice Ex: waves causing beach erosion (shoreline of Texas is disappearing) running water Ex: sand storm wind Ex: rain causing a mudslide running water and gravity Ex: landslide gravity Ex: rain carrying soil and gravel down a driveway running water and gravity Sandy barrier islands are the most conspicuous coastal feature of Texas. Barrier islands, such as Mustang Island shown above are migrating landward as the mainland shore retreats due to relative sea level rise. The development and maintenance of the barrier islands involves a balance between sediment supply, longshore currents, bottom topography, and wave and tidal activity. Texas barrier islands will likely continue to migrate landward as the mainland shore retreats due to relative sea level rise. The southeasterly offshore winds also contribute to this migration as gulf-facing sand is picked up and deposited into back bays and on the mainland.

Bolivar Peninsula: Oblique aerial photography of Bolivar Peninsula, TX, on September 9, 2008 (top) and September 15, 2008, two days after landfall of Hurricane Ike (bottom). Yellow arrows mark features that appear in each image. In addition to the loss of houses, the evidence of inundation here includes eroded dune face and sand deposited well inland of the shoreline.

Galveston Island and Beach Erosion Aerial photo of Galveston, TX, on September 9, 2008 (top) and September 15, 2008, two days after landfall of Hurricane Ike (bottom). Yellow arrows mark features that appear in each image. Hurricane-induced waves and surge destroyed a small walkway. Coastal-change impacts include beach and dune erosion, and the removal of considerable dune vegetation. This location is on the right-hand side of the hurricane track and likely experienced the strongest winds, highest surge, and waves.

Rivers and Deposition Deposition: The process of eroded earth materials (sediments) being deposited in a new location Ex: delta-where sediment is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or lake builds up a landform Ex: sand dune-a deposit of wind blown sand The marker on Google Earth is the mouth of the Brazos flowing into the ocean (see map on slide 2 of this ppt) Eroded Sediment Deposit Riverbed high resolution capture taken at Brazos River, Texas, USA

Weathering and Palo Duro Canyon (High Plains Ecoregion) Weathering is the breaking down and/or wearing away of earth materials (rocks) into smaller pieces.--Must occur before erosion can happen --No movement is involved Sediments- naturally-occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering; small/tiny pieces of rock Physical/Mechanical weathering-the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces (wind, flowing water, ice, gravity, animals/plants, temperature changes)