Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Science Literacy Article

Front

The geologic process of breaking down rock on Earth's surface.

Back

weathering

Front

The geologic process by which water, wind, ice, and gravity move pieces of rock or soil.

Back

erosion

Front

The geologic process by which eroded sediments settle and are deposited or dropped in a new location.

Back

deposition

Front

Rock that is physically broken down into smaller pieces but the chemical composition of the minerals within the rock does not change.

Back

mechanical or physical weathering

Front

Small, solid pieces of rock created by mechanical or chemical weathering.

Back

sediment

Front

What is the main cause of erosion?

Back

running water

Front

What creates or constructs deltas, alluvial fans, beaches, sand dunes, or moraines?

Back

deposition

Front

What is the destructive force responsible for mass movement like landslides, mudflow, creep, and slump?

Back

erosion

Front

Mechanical weathering where plant root systems break apart rock.

Back

root wedging

Front

What kind of mechanical weathering occurs when water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands to break rocks apart?

Back

frost wedging