7.2 Landforms Shaped by Wind and Water

Front

What is deposition in the context of landforms?

Back

Deposition is the process by which sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass. It occurs when the energy of the transporting medium (like water or wind) decreases, causing the materials to settle.

Front

What is erosion?

Back

Erosion is the process by which natural forces move weathered rock and soil from one place to another. It can be caused by water, wind, ice, or gravity.

Front

What is a meander?

Back

A meander is a broad, C-shaped curve in a stream or river that forms as the water erodes the outer banks and deposits sediment on the inner banks.

Front

How do plants help reduce erosion along streams?

Back

Plants help reduce erosion by stabilizing the soil with their roots, which prevents soil from being washed away by water.

Front

What is a slip-off slope?

Back

A slip-off slope is the gentle slope on the inside of a meander where deposition occurs, as the current is slower here.

Front

What is an alluvial fan?

Back

An alluvial fan is a fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed where a stream flows out of a narrow canyon onto a flatter plain.

Front

What role does wind play in shaping landforms?

Back

Wind can erode, transport, and deposit sediments, shaping landforms such as dunes and eroded rock formations.

Front

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

Back

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface, while erosion is the movement of those materials from one location to another.

Front

What is a river cliff?

Back

A river cliff is a steep bank or slope along a river, often formed by the erosion of the river's current.

Front

What is the significance of the current in a river?

Back

The current is the flow of water in a river, which affects erosion and deposition patterns. Faster currents can erode banks, while slower currents allow for deposition.