What processes change Earth’s surface?

2. Weathering:
Weathering is the
process of breaking
down rock into
small pieces of silt,
sand, and clay
known as
sediments.

3. Weathering: the
process of breaking rock
into silt, sand, clay, and
other tiny pieces called
sediment
Rivers carve deep
canyons in rock. Just
like Arizona’s Grand
Canyon!

4. Weathering: the
process of breaking
rock into silt, sand,
clay, and other tiny
pieces called
sediment
Ocean waves
can weather
cliffs and cause
them to fall
into the sea!

5. Weathering: the
process of breaking rock
into silt, sand, clay, and
other tiny pieces called
sediment
Rain that flows
into cracks in
rocks can freeze
and expand,
causing the
rock to break!

6. Weathering: the
process of breaking rock
into silt, sand, clay, and
other tiny pieces called
sediment
Rain that
becomes acidic
because of
pollution can
dissolve rock!

7. Weathering: the
process of breaking rock
into silt, sand, clay, and
other tiny pieces called
sediment
Flowing water
tumbles rocks
against each other,
breaking them into
smaller pieces.

8. Wind is another
cause of
weathering.
These arches
form from years
of wind carrying
sand!
Weathering: the
process of breaking rock
into silt, sand, clay, and
other tiny pieces called
sediment

9. Erosion
Erosion is the
process of moving
sediments from one
location to another.

10. Erosion: the process
of moving sediment
from one place to
another
Waves erode
and deposit
new sand on
beaches.

11. Erosion: the process
of moving sediment
from one place to
another
Rivers carry
sediment and
move it
downstream.

12. Deposition
Deposition is the
process of dropping
or depositing
sediments in a new
location.

13. Deposition:
the process of
dropping, or
depositing,
sediment in a new
location
Waves deposit
sand on the shore
and rivers deposit
sediment on river
banks or in deltas.

14. Erosion: the process
of moving sediment
from one place to
another
Wind also
erodes land. It
carries sand and
sediment from
one place to
another.

15. Erosion: the process
of moving sediment
from one place to
another
Glaciers can also
erode sediment
and deposit it in
another area.
Deposition:
the process of
dropping, or
depositing,
sediment in a new
location

16. Valley Glacier
Continental
Glacier