Erosion and Deposition by Gravity

Erosion and deposition by gravity are fundamental geological processes that shape the Earth's surface over time. Driven by the force of gravity, these processes involve the movement of rock, soil, and sediment down slopes, influencing the formation of landscapes and landforms. Erosion refers to the wearing away of materials, while deposition involves the settling of eroded particles in new locations. From the gradual carving of valleys to the creation of sedimentary layers, the dynamic interplay of erosion and deposition by gravity plays a crucial role in sculpting the diverse features we observe in the Earth's terrain.

Questions
  • What are some ways that humans can reduce the impacts of mass movements?
  • How does gravity work with water ice and wind to cause erosion?
  • What is the wearing away of rock by a grinding action called?
  • How does gravity affect erosion and deposition?
  • Why are mudflows so dangerous?
  • What is the difference between rock fall and rock slide?
  • What force causes streams and rivers to flow downhill?
  • How does deflation lower the surface of the desert?
  • How do a river's slope and volume of flow affect the river's sediment load?
  • What is the force that keeps objects from falling off into space?
  • Unsorted, angular, rough-surfaced cobbles and boulders are found at the base of a cliff. What most likely transported these cobbles and boulders?
  • How can you explain a sediment deposit that contains unlayered and randomly sorted material at the bottom and layered, well-sorted material at the top?
  • A wide sloping deposit of sediment formed where a stream leaves a mountain range is called a(n) what?
  • What does a stream's ability to erode mainly depend on?
  • What is the difference between mass and weight of an object?