Earth Science: Weathering, Erosion, and Landforms Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to weathering, erosion, deposition, topographic mapping, and geological landforms.

abrasion

The grinding away of rock by other rock particles carried in water, ice, or wind

beach

Wave-washed sediment along a coast

chemical weathering

The process that breaks down rock through chemical changes

contour interval

the difference in elevation from one contour line to the next

contour line

A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation

Deflation

wind erosion that removes surface materials

delta

A landform made of sediment that is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or lake

Deposition

Process in which sediment is laid down in new locations.

Erosion

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another

flash flood

A sudden, violent flood that occurs within a few hours, or even minutes, of a storm.

flood plain

wide valley through which a river flows

glacier

A large mass of moving ice and snow on land

groin

A wall made of rocks or concrete that is built outward from a beach to reduce erosion

ice wedging

Process that splits rock when water seeps into cracks, then freezes and expands.

levee

A long ridge formed by deposits of sediments alongside a river channel.

longshore drift

the movement of sand along the beach

mass movement

Any one of several processes by which gravity moves sediment downhill.

meander

A looplike bend in the course of a river

mechanical weathering

The type of weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces

oxbow lake

A meander that has been cut off from the river

relief

the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area

rip current

a rush of water that flows rapidly back to sea through a narrow opening

Runoff

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground

sand dune

A deposit of wind-blown sand

sediment

Earth materials deposited by erosion.

Watershed

The land area that supplies water to a river system.