How Do Weathering and Erosion Affect the Earth’s Features?

You have learned how volcanoes and earthquakes change the features of the Earth.

However, landforms are also changed in other ways.

WeatheringThe breaking and changing of rocks

Types of WeatheringWater and ice can change rocks. Water fills tiny cracks in the rocks and freezes when the weather gets the cold. The freezing water pushes against the rocks. Then the weather gets warm and melts the ice. The rocks move back, but the cracks may be larger than they were before.

When this happens over and over again, the rocks break apart.

Types of WeatheringPlant roots can cause weathering! As roots

grow, they push against the sides of the cracks and break the rocks apart.

ErosionThe moving of weathered rocks and soils by

wind, water, or ice

Wind ErosionMostly noticed in the desert where dunes are

formed.Dunes: large piles of windblown sand

GlaciersLarge areas of ice formed from snow. As

these large, slowly moving patches of ice move, the land below them changes.

Water ErosionAs water moves through the land, it can move

rocks and carve out the land.

Let’s Review!What is weathering?

Weather is the breaking and changing of rocks.

What is erosion?Erosion is the moving of weathered rocks and soils by wind, water, and ice.