Unit C - Erosion and Deposition

Question 1

What are some examples of landforms?

Answer 1

Marsh - wetland dominated by grasses
Delta - sediment at the mouth of the river
Floodplain - flat land by a river full of nutrients
seaside cliff, rounded hilltop, canyon, valley, cave, beach, sand dune

Question 2

What is a topographical map?

Answer 2

A topographical map uses contour lines to show the shape, elevation, and steepness of the land above sea level.

Question 3

What is weathering?

Answer 3

Weathering is a destructive earth process that MAKES sediments by breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by wind, water, and ice.

Question 4

What is erosion?

Answer 4

Erosion is a destructive earth process where sediments are MOVED from one place to another by water, wind, or ice.

Question 5

What is deposition?

Answer 5

Deposition is a constructive earth process where sediments are deposited (or DROPPED) somewhere else when water, wind, or ice slows down.

Question 6

What are some advantages of erosion?

Answer 6

Erosion can carve valuable landforms like river channels and canyons by moving away sediments.

Question 7

What are some disadvantages of erosion?

Answer 7

Erosion can be damaging when:
Land collapses or slides near buildings or roads.
Erosion on a hillside/cliff makes buildings shift or topple over.

Question 8

What are some advantages of deposition?

Answer 8

Deposition of sediments adds important nutrients to the soil for farming and animal habitats.
Deposition builds up new landforms such as floodplains, deltas, marshes, and beaches.

Question 9

What are some disadvantages of deposition?

Answer 9

Deposition can be harmful when sediments:
Build up and fill in bodies of water… 
   - Covering fish and animal habitats. 
   - Making water too shallow for boats.
Clog pipes that carry water.
Deposit toxic materials.

Question 10

What are some human activities that affect the way landforms change over time?

Answer 10

Construction and farming can increase erosion.

Question 11

What does the phrase “trade-off” mean when trying to make a decision that may affect the earth?

Answer 11

When you try to slow down one earth process (like erosion), there will be a negative impact on another process (like deposition). This decision upsets the natural cycle of the earth processes.

Question 12

What are some ways erosion can be reduced or prevented?

Answer 12

Breakwater
Seawalls (riprap)
Planting vegetation

Question 13

What are some ways deposition can be reduced or prevented?

Answer 13

Dredging

Jetties