Changes on the Earth’s Surface

Changes on the Earth’s Surface

Mr. Vranderic – World Geography

GOAL

To explain how the Earth’s surface changes due to weathering and erosion

Weathering Weatherin

g The breaking down of

rock on the Earth’s surface into smaller and smaller pieces.

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

Def: Chemical makeup of the rock is altered or changed into new materials

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

1. Dissolving by water

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

2. Reactions with oxygen

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

3. Excess carbon dioxide in air decomposes rock

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

4. Acid Rain

Weathering Chemical

Weathering

5. Plant Acids leak onto rocks

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

Def: rocks are physically broken smaller without changing what they are made of

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

1. Temperature expansion & contraction cracks rocks

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

2. Frozen water cracking

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

3. Root-pry

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

4. Gravity/Landslides

Weathering Mechanica

l Weathering

5. Abrasion by Wind

Erosion Erosion Def: Weathered rock

particles are carried away

Deposition Deposition Def: Eroded rock

particles are dumped off into a new location

Five Agents of Erosion Gravity Pulls rocks down slopes

Causes landslides, mountain erosion

Famous: Laguna Beach Landslide Vancouver Island San Diego Landslide

Five Agents of Erosion Wind Air currents lift and carry

materials to new locations Scrapes away landforms Makes new landforms through

deposition (dunes) Famous:

Grand Canyon (W. U.S.) North Africa Asia Australia NW China Southern S. America

Five Agents of Erosion Running

Water Drags rocks along in

water, cutting into soil (abrasion)

Deepens, widens rivers Deposited sediments

create curves, deltas, alluvial fans

Famous: Niagara Falls Grand Canyon Nile River

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

Five Agents of Erosion Waves Crashes beaches, scrapes,

slams, dissolves pieces off rocks Wave erosion creates arches,

caves, cliffs Wave deposition creates bars,

spits Famous:

Sea cliffs of Tuscany & Sicily Italy

Five Agents of Erosion Glaciers Moving mass of ice and

snow Picks up and scrapes

rock across other rock Widens valleys, dumps

rock to make new landforms

Famous: Finger Lakes Great Lakes

Assessment Which agent of erosion created the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion carved the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion carved the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion created the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion created the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion created the

formation below?

Assessment Which agent of erosion created the

formation below?

Family Photos