A Walk Through Time: Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

The Great Sphinx is the most instantly recognizable statue associated with ancient Egypt and among the most famous in the world. Scientist have suggested that the Sphinx to be around 5,000-7,000 years old based primarily upon the rounded profile of the strata of the Sphinx thorax and the deep channels present in the walls surrounding the Sphinx.

What is this an example of?

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How did you know?

Answer explanation

It is weathering because the face of the stone is broken down and worn off.

The rock is breaking down by chemical weathering and abrasion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Roman Colosseum- The Colosseum was built between 72 A.D and 80 A.D under the Emperor Vespasian, in the heart of Ancient Rome. Made from stone and concrete, this magnificent monument was built with the man power of tens of thousands of slaves.

What is this an example of?

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

How did you know?

Answer explanation

This is weathering because you can see the cracks in the rock and broken walls.

This could have happened from abrasion, ice wedging, and/or chemical weathering.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

The Statue of Liberty is made of copper. That means that when the statue was made and given to the United States it was the same color as a shiny penny. Time has taken a toll on her and has changed her to green.

What is this an example of?

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

How did you know?

Answer explanation

This is weathering because it changed color (oxidized copper is green).

This is an example of chemical weathering because the chemical reaction showed a color change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The Parthenon- temple that dominates the hill of the Acropolis at Athens. It was built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos. It is made of white marble and the majority of the sculptures do not exist anymore.

What is this an example of?

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How did you know?

Answer explanation

This is an example of weathering (bombing broke the rocks), erosion (roof and walls fell because of gravity), and deposition (rocks landed at the bottom).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Cleopatra’s Needle- is the oldest man-made object in Central Park, and the oldest outdoor monument in New York City. It was built in 1450 BC by an Egyptian pharaoh who wished to celebrate his 30 years of reign. It was moved to NYC in 1880. It is made of a solid piece of red granite and was created 1000 years before Cleopatra ever lived.

What is this an example of?

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

How did you know?

Answer explanation

This is weathering because stone is broken down and worn off from abrasion, acid rain, and ice wedging.