2.1 Erosion & Deposition by Water

Erosion

the process by which water removes and transports sediment and rock material from one place to another.

Deposition

the process by which water lays down or drops sediment and rock material in a new location.

Floodplain

A flat land area adjacent to a river, formed by the deposition of sediment during floods.

Delta

A landform created by the deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river where it enters a slower-moving body of water, often triangular in shape.

Alluvial fan

A fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed where a stream emerges from a steep canyon onto a flatter area or plain.

Ground water

Water located beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in rock fractures.

Sandbar

A ridge or mound of sand formed by the deposition of sediment by currents, often found in rivers or along coastlines.

Barrier island

A long, narrow island of sand or sediment that lies parallel to the coastline, protecting the mainland from ocean waves and storms.

Shoreline

The boundary or line where a body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or river, meets the land.

Beach

A landform along the coast of an ocean, sea, lake, or river, consisting of loose particles such as sand or gravel, formed by the deposition of sediment.

meandering stream

A winding stream or river that forms curves called meanders, which develop due to erosion and deposition along the banks, often found in low-gradient areas, where the velocity (speed) of the water changes as it moves.

oxbow lake

a crescent-shaped (U-shaped) lake that forms when a meander (bend) of a river is cut off from the main channel, usually due to erosion and deposition processes.

run off

The flow of excess water, often after precipitation, over land surfaces that ultimately drains into rivers, lakes, or oceans, contributing to the water cycle and influencing erosion and deposition.

physical weathering

The process of breaking down rock into smaller pieces without changing its chemical composition, often caused by environmental factors such as temperature changes, freeze-thaw cycles, and the growth of plant roots.

mechanical weathering

The process of physical breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without altering their composition, often caused by factors such as temperature changes, ice wedging, and biological activity involving plants and animals (also know as physical weathering).

chemical weathering

The process that changes the composition/make-up of rocks or minerals due to reactions with environmental agents such as water, oxygen, and acid rain, leading to the breakdown or transformation of the rock or mineral.

acid rain

precipitation with high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids, resulting from air pollution that can lead to the weathering of rocks and soils.