erosion and weathering

1. 4.E.2.3:
Give examples of how the surface of the Earth changes due to slow
processes such as erosion and weathering, rapid processes such as
landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

2. The Earth is Constantly
Changing
Slow Changes
 Erosion
 Weathering
 Deposition
 Examples: Canyons,
valleys, caves, deltas,
mushroom rocks and rock
arches
Rapid Changes
 Results of a natural
disaster.
 Examples: landslides,
volcanic eruptions, floods,
tsunamis

3. Slow Changes
 FOUR MAIN THINGS
CAUSE SLOW
CHANGES:
 1. Water
 2. Wind
 3. Plants
 4. Ice
A change to Earth’s surface
that takes a very long time

4. Water: Deltas
 Water can slowly carry
sediments of weathered
rock and deposit those
pieces to a new location
(deposition)
 This process makes
DELTAS.
 These are formed at the
mouth of rivers.

5. Water: Canyons
 Canyons are formed when
a river cuts through rock
over a very long time.
 The river slowly weathers
and erodes the rock.

6. Weathering and Erosion by Wind
: Mountains Become Flat
 Over time, a mountain can flatten.
 Weathering and erosion slowly changes the shape
of a mountain.

7. Wind: Rock Arches and
Hoodoos
 Wind can carry weathered
rock.
 When the little pieces hit
rock, it can form unique
shapes.
 The wind acts as a
sandblaster, slowly shaping
the rock into formations
like a rock arch and a
hoodoo.

8. Ice: U-Shaped Valleys
 The movement of ice from
a glacier can weather and
erode rock.
 When the glacier melts, a
U-Shaped Valley will be
left.

9. Ice: Weathering
 Ice can also break rock
apart.
 Water seeps into the cracks
of rock. When the water
freezes, the rock breaks
apart.

10. Plants: Weathering
 Plants can grow into the
cracks of rocks and cause
weathering.
 As the plant gets bigger
and bigger, the rock gives
way and cracks.

11. Rapid
Changes
 Volcanic eruptions
 Landslides
 Earthquakes
 Tsunamis
Changes to Earth’s surface
that occurs over a short
period of time. Usually the
result of a natural disaster.

12. Tectonic Plates
 The Earth is divided into
separate sections called
tectonic plates.
 These plates move very
slowly
 The plates can move side
by side, away from each
other or toward each other
 During the movement,
some natural disasters may
occur.

13. Earthquakes
 The result of a sudden
release of energy from the
movement of plates.
 They can cause cracks in
the ground and fault
valleys may form.
 Streams/rivers may change
paths.

14. Volcanic Eruptions
 The movement of plates
can cause volcanoes to
erupt.
 When a volcano erupts, the
surface of the Earth
changes.
 New land can form,
vegetation in the lava path
can be destroyed

15. Landslides
 The mass movement of
rock, debris, and soil down
a slope of land
 Can be caused by heavy
rainfall, earthquakes,
overdevelopment and
deforestation.

16. Tsunamis
 A series of enormous
waves created by an
underwater disturbance.
 Usually associated with
earthquakes occurring
below or near the ocean.
 Volcanic eruptions,
submarine landslides, and
coastal rock falls can also
generate a tsunami.

17. Review
1. What are the slow changes to Earth’s surface?
2. What are the rapid changes to Earth’s surface?
3. What are the cause and effects of an
earthquake?
4. What are the cause and effects of a landslide?
5. What are the cause and effects of a tsunami
6. What are the cause and effects of a volcanic
eruption?