1. Erosion
8th grade science

2. Definition
Erosion: The physical movement of sediments and rocks (weathered material) from one place to another.

3. Agents of Erosion
Running water or water run-off

4. Agents of Erosion Running water or water run-off
When it rains or when snow is melting, the water will collect together while going downhill in the form of a stream, river, etc. The stream will carry with it a lot of sediments and even rocks if the stream is moving fast enough.

5. Agents of Erosion
Wind

6. Agents of Erosion
Wind
When the wind blows (especially strong gusts), it picks up sediments and carries them to another location.

7. Agents of Erosion
Waves

8. Agents of Erosion Waves
On the coasts of oceans, waves crash up against the cliffs, break down the rocks, and disturb the soil. The small sediments and rocks that fall into the ocean are then carried off by the undercurrents and taken somewhere else.

9. Agents of Erosion
Glaciers

10. Agents of Erosion Glaciers
Snow that has accumulated year after year will form a glacier. Glaciers move slowly down mountains. As they move down the mountain, they cut into the mountainside taking large amounts of sediment with them.

11. Agents of Erosion
Gravity

12. Agents of Erosion Gravity
As rocks break off high cliffs or mountains they fall great distances. This falling is erosion because the rocks are moving from a high place to a low place by gravity.