Weathering & Erosion/ River & Streams/Glacier Forms/Coasts Deserts

Abrassion

The process of wearing away rocks and soil due to friction from particles like sand or silt, often carried by wind or water.

Joints

Natural fractures in rock that can affect weathering and erosion processes.

Exfoliation

The process in which outer rock layers peel away due to thermal expansion and contraction or pressure release, often resulting in a dome-shaped structure.

Oxidation

A chemical weathering process in which minerals, particularly iron-containing ones, react with oxygen in the presence of water, leading to rust and weakening of the rock.

Dissolution

The process by which soluble materials, such as minerals, dissolve in water, often leading to the formation of features like caves and sinkholes.

Hogback

A type of ridge formed where resistant rock layers are tilted and eroded, resulting in steeply sloping sides.

Toadstool

Mushroom-shaped rock from wind abrasion.

Slump

Rotational slide of soil/rock.

Soil Creep

Slow downhill movement of soil.

Debris Flow

Fast, wet flow of mud/rock.

Dendritic Pattern

Tree-shaped Drainage.

Trellis Pattern

Parallel main streams with short tributaries.

Waterfall

River Drop Vertically.

Pothole

Circular hole drilled by swirling sediment.

Bedload

Rocks, rolled along the bottom.

Braided Channel

Many shallow inter winded channels.

Point bar

Deposition on inside of meander.

Cut bank

Erosion on outside of meander.

Oxbow

U-shaped abandoned river bend.

Delta

River sediment deposited where river meets ocean/ lake.

U-Shaped Valleys

Glacier caved valley( wide & Flat bottom)

Fjord

U-shaped valley flooded by sea water.

Hanging Valley

Smaller valley cut off high above main valley.

Terminal Moraine

Ridge of debris at glaciers furthest advance.

Esker

long ridge of meltwater- stream sediment

Drumlin

Teardrop- shaped hill from ice movement.

Outwash

Sorted sediment carried by meltwater.

Transverse dune

Wave-like dunes perpendicular to wind.

Longitudinal Dune

Long ridges parallel to wind.

Saltation

Sand grains bouncing.

Slip face

Steep side of dune (downwind)

Yardang

Wind-carved ridge

Alluvial fan

Fan- shaped sediment from mountain stream.

Bajada

Merged alluvial fans

Playa

Dry lake bed

Evaporite

Minerals left when water evaporates.

Desert payment

Rock surface from wind removing fine grains.

Gyre

Large rotating ocean current.

Wave Refraction

Bending of waves toward shore.

Longshore Current

Movement of water along shore

Sea Stack

Isolated rock pillars.

Split

Narrow sand ridge extending from shore.

Tombolo

Sand connecting island to land.

Beach Cusp

Small arc inland by storms.

Overwash

Sand pushed inland by storms.

Tidal Delta

Sediment deposited by tides

Coral

Marine Skeleton- producing organism