Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition in Action

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

In the previous Related Lessons, found in the right-hand sidebar, you have learned about weathering, erosion, and deposition as separate parts.

Today, you will see how these processes function as a cycle and examine their purpose in creation. Before you get started, review the terms "weathering," "erosion," and "deposition" with a teacher or parent.

• What do these terms mean? What are examples of each?

To review what you have already learned about weathering, erosion, and deposition, and to see how they work together, watch Oxford Education's How do glaciers shape the landscape? Animation from geog. 1 Kerboodle (following the questions below).

As you watch the video, answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper:

• How are weathering, erosion, and deposition illustrated with the glacier?
• How do the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition interact or work together on the glacier?
• What role do weathering, erosion, and deposition play in the ecosystem shown?

When the video is finished, review your responses with a teacher or parent.

Weathering, erosion, and deposition play an important role in the rock cycle. If you are unfamiliar with the rock cycle, watch the StudyJams! video clip about The Rock Cycle, and review the Elephango lesson found under Additional Resources in the right-hand sidebar. As you review the rock cycle, answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper:

• How is weathering a part of the rock cycle?
• How is erosion a part of the rock cycle?
• How is deposition a part of the rock cycle?
• Why are the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition an important part of the rock cycle?

When you are finished, review your responses with a teacher or parent.

The rock cycle could not occur, and new rocks would be unable to form, without weathering, erosion, and deposition. For example, weathering, erosion, and deposition are all essential in the creation of sedimentary rocks. Weathering breaks rocks and minerals into small sediments. Erosion moves these sediments to a new location, where they are deposited. These sediments can sit for hundreds of years, binding together to create sedimentary rocks.

• Look at the image and questions from the beginning of the lesson.
• In what other ways are weathering, erosion, and deposition a part of the rock cycle?
• How do weathering, erosion, and deposition work together as a part of a cycle?

Discuss your ideas with a teacher or parent, then carry on to the Got It? section to diagram what you've learned.