Erosion and Deposition

Front

Sediment Noun

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[sed-uh-muhnt]

Back

Sediment

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Material, such as rock pieces, soil, or organic remains, that is transported by the process of erosion.

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Example: This cross-section shows a river where small particles of sand and soil, called sediment, have settled and collected at the bottom.

Front

Deposition Noun

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[dep-uh-zish-uhn]

Back

Deposition

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The process in which agents of erosion, like water or wind, lay down sediment in a new location.

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Example: A river slows as it enters a larger body of water, dropping the sediment it carries to build up new land called a delta.

Front

Mass Movement Noun

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[mas moov-muhnt]

Back

Mass Movement

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Any one of several processes, primarily driven by gravity, that moves large amounts of sediment downhill.

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Example: This image shows mass movement by illustrating how weak, muddy earth and saturated rock on a slope can collapse and slide downhill due to gravity.

Front

Deflation Noun

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[dih-fley-shuhn]

Back

Deflation

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The process by which wind erodes the land by removing surface materials like clay, silt, and sand.

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Example: This diagram shows the process of deflation, where wind erodes and carries away small, loose particles like sand, leaving larger pebbles behind.

Front

Sand Dune Noun

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[sand doon]

Back

Sand Dune

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A mound or ridge of windblown sand that forms when wind slows down or encounters an obstacle.

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Example: This image shows sand dunes, which are large hills of sand formed by the wind in deserts or on coasts.

Front

Loess Noun

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[loh-es]

Back

Loess

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A deposit of fine, fertile, wind-deposited sediment that helps to form nutrient-rich soil in many regions.

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Example: This image shows a landscape made of loess, a type of soil formed from fine, wind-blown dust that creates rolling, easily eroded hills.

Front

Erosion Noun

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[ih-roh-zhuhn]

Back

Erosion

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The process by which natural forces move weathered rock and soil from one location to another.

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Example: Flowing water has carried away topsoil from this farm field, carving visible paths and demonstrating how land is worn away and transported.

Front

Landslide Noun

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[land-slahyd]

Back

Landslide

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The rapid and sudden movement of rock and soil sliding down a steep slope, often caused by earthquakes.

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Example: This diagram shows how a landslide happens. Heavy rain can make rock saturated and weak, causing the muddy earth above to collapse and slide downhill.

Front

Mudflow Noun

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[muhd-floh]

Back

Mudflow

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The rapid downhill movement of a fluid mixture of water, rock, and soil, typically after heavy rainfall.

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Example: This diagram shows how a mudflow occurs when weak, muddy earth on a slope becomes saturated with water, causing it to collapse and slide downhill.

Front

Slump Noun

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[sluhmp]

Back

Slump

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The sudden downward movement of a large mass of rock and soil that moves as a single, intact unit.

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Example: This diagram shows a slump, where a block of land slides down a curved surface, creating step-like terraces on a hillside.