EROSION

EROSION

• Erosion is the process by which sediments are picked up and transported.

EROSION

• Erosion is caused by many things.• The things that cause earth’s surface to be

eroded are called agents of erosion.

EROSION

• The first agent of erosion is running water.• Running water is the most predominant

agent of erosion.• What does this mean?

EROSION

• Water is the driving force behind most erosion.

• That’s why there is very little weathering in hot and dry climates.

EROSION

• The second agent of erosion is wind.• Of the erosion that happens in hot and dry

climates, this has the bets chance.• Think of a desert.

EROSION

• The next agent of erosion is ice (glacial).• These represent flowing ice and snow.• Sometime things frozen in glaciers can be

transported to exotic areas.• We call these glacial erratics.

EROSION

• Gravity is the next agent of erosion.• This simply means gravity itself pulling on our

landforms.• This causes landslide and mudslides.

EROSION

• The next agent of erosion is ocean waves.• These play a large part in sediment

transportation.• Oceans both break down a beach and deposit

minerals on them and surrounding areas.

EROSION

• Finally, the last agent of erosion is man.• When we dig mines, build dams, or create

artificial lakes, we are such agents.• Deforestation and poor farming can also

cause this.

EROSION

• So the six agents of erosion are…– Running Water– Wind– Ice (Glacial)– Gravity– Ocean Waves– Man

EROSION

• Evidence can be found as to which agent has been in action.

• If the sediment has been transported by a stream, smooth, round particles are formed.

• Valleys that are eroded by a river or stream are V-shaped.

EROSION

• Particles that have been eroded by wind are generally rough, pitted and round.

EROSION

• Glacial sediment will be sub-rounded and scratched.

• Valleys formed by glaciers will be U-shaped.

EROSION

• Lastly, particles that have undergone gravitational erosion will be jagged and sharp.