Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

Earth’s surface is constantly changing and new land is constantly being

formed! Rocks get broken down by weathering, moved through erosion, and

deposited, or dropped, somewhere else through deposition.

Weathering is the process where rock is

dissolved, worn away, or broken down into small

pieces. Weathering can shape rocks into unusual

formations. Water, wind, ice and plant roots are

all causes of weathering. For example,

rainwater can easily enter cracks in rocks.

When it gets cold, the water may freeze and

expand in the crack. The ice will eventually split

the rock. Also, plant roots can grow in rocks and cause them to split.

What is weathering?

• Weathering is the freezing of water in rocks.

• Weathering is growing plants in the crack of rocks and sidewalks.

• Weathering is hot liquid rock coming up from the Earth's surface.

• Weathering is the process where rock is

  dissolved, worn away, or broken down into small

  pieces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Erosion is the process by which water,

ice, wind, or gravity move pieces of rock and

soil. The crushed rocks and rubble are called

sediments and when it rains, they are washed

away into streams. If it does not rain, strong

winds can blow them away. Gravity makes soil

and rocks move downhill. Erosion can happen

quickly or take thousands of years. For

example, the Grand Canyon located in Arizona is a very big hole in the ground

that is the result of constant erosion by the Colorado River. It took over

millions of years as rocks were taken away.

The movement of sediment from one place to another is the process of

____________________________ .

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

• soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Deposition is the dropping of sediment by wind,

water, ice, or gravity. After pieces of the earth are

moved through erosion, they are deposited

somewhere else through deposition. It could be only a

few feet away or many miles away. Deposition

happens when water slows down or stops moving, the

wind dies down or stops blowing, or when the glaciers melt. New landforms can also

be created from the deposited material. For example, waves can deposit sediment in

areas offshore, where they can build up to be sand dunes.

The dropping of sediment by wind, water, ice, or gravity is known as

____________________________ .

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

• soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

3. Weathering is the process where rock is

dissolved, worn away, or broken down into small

pieces called sediment. Which of the following is not one of the four main causes of weathering?

• wind

• ice

• waste

• plant roots

• water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The city of Corpus Christi, Texas built a seawall along the ocean many years ago as seen in the picture provided. Why do you think the city built the seawall?

• To stop the fish from entering the city.

• To stop the erosion of the land by the ocean.

• To stop the people from swimming in the water.

• To help the boats stoping along the shore.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Weathering is the process where rock is

dissolved, worn away, or broken down into small

pieces. Weathering can shape rocks into unusual

formations. Water, wind, ice and plant roots are

all causes of weathering. For example,

rainwater can easily enter cracks in rocks.

When it gets cold, the water may freeze and

expand in the crack. The ice will eventually split

the rock. Also, plant roots can grow in rocks and cause them to split.

What happens to a rock that has rainwater entering its cracks and then

freezing? Answer using sentences directly from the passage.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Deposition is the dropping of sediment by wind,

water, ice, or gravity. After pieces of the earth are

moved through erosion, they are deposited

somewhere else through deposition. It could be only a

few feet away or many miles away. Deposition

happens when water slows down or stops moving, the

wind dies down or stops blowing, or when the glaciers melt. New landforms can also

be created from the deposited material. For example, waves can deposit sediment in

areas offshore, where they can build up to be sand dunes.

When wind dies down or stops blowing (a)  

happens.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What process is taking place when moving water is carrying away small pieces

of rock?

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

• water flowing

Tags

NGSS.4-ESS2-1

Erosion is the process by which water,

ice, wind, or gravity move pieces of rock and

soil. The crushed rocks and rubble are called

sediments and when it rains, they are washed

away into streams. If it does not rain, strong

winds can blow them away. Gravity makes soil

and rocks move downhill. Erosion can happen

quickly or take thousands of years. For

example, the Grand Canyon located in Arizona is a very big hole in the ground

that is the result of constant erosion by the Colorado River. It took over

millions of years as rocks were taken away.

Another word for crushed rock and rubble is (a)   .

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2