Weathering and Erosion

What’s the difference? Weathering = chemical or mechanical breakdown of rocks into sediments Erosion = MOVEMENT of weathered material from one location to another Occurs by: Wind Water Gravity Glaciers Deposition = sediments are laid down or dropped when transportation stops

Weathering Breaking of rock into smaller pieces Two types Chemical mechanical

Chemical Weathering Changes the chemical composition of rocks Rocks can be weathered by: Water (dissolving) Acid Oxygen CO2

Mechanical Weathering Breaking rocks into smaller pieces NO change in the chemical composition of the rock ONLY changes size and shape

Erosion Process by which water, ice, wind, or gravity move sediments

Water Erosion Occurs in rivers, streams, and runoff Natures STRONGEST method of erosion

Ice/Glacier Erosion As glaciers move, they can pick up sediments and transport them.

Wind Erosion Wind can pick up small sediments (sand, clay, silt, etc) and transport them to another location As sediments are being carried, they can also chip away at rock.

Gravitational Erosion Gravity can cause the movement of large masses of land Landslides Mudslides Slump creep