Key Idea.
Section 1
Erosion Moves Earth's Materials
While sediment formation builds rocks up, other forces break them down. Weathering breaks large rocks into smaller pieces of sediment, but erosion is the process that moves this sediment away. Driven by natural forces, erosion strips away materials from the Earth's surface, constantly reshaping the landscape.
Section 2
Forces of Nature Shape the Land
Erosion is powered by the energy of nature. The most powerful agent of erosion is moving water (rivers, waves, rain), but wind and ice (glaciers) are also capable of wearing away rock and transporting sediment.
These forces act physically on the rock, scraping, scouring, and lifting particles to transport them to new locations.
Section 3
Slow Changes Create Big Landforms
Like rock formation, erosion is a slow but persistent process. A single day of wind or rain causes microscopic changes. However, when these forces act continuously over long periods of time, the cumulative effect is massive.
This gradual wearing away of rock is responsible for carving out major landforms, such as deep valleys and canyons.
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Section 1
Erosion Moves Earth's Materials
While sediment formation builds rocks up, other forces break them down. Weathering breaks large rocks into smaller pieces of sediment, but erosion is the process that moves this sediment away. Driven by natural forces, erosion strips away materials from the Earth's surface, constantly reshaping the landscape.
Section 2
Forces of Nature Shape the Land
Erosion is powered by the energy of nature. The most powerful agent of erosion is moving water (rivers, waves, rain), but wind and ice (glaciers) are also capable of wearing away rock and transporting sediment.
These forces act physically on the rock, scraping, scouring, and lifting particles to transport them to new locations.
Section 3
Slow Changes Create Big Landforms
Like rock formation, erosion is a slow but persistent process. A single day of wind or rain causes microscopic changes. However, when these forces act continuously over long periods of time, the cumulative effect is massive.
This gradual wearing away of rock is responsible for carving out major landforms, such as deep valleys and canyons.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter