Weathering, deposition, and erosion are three very powerful elements in the natural world.
Weathering is when objects exposed to weather are worn down or broken apart. (Below) High wind speeds carve out a large boulder.
Weathering is when objects exposed to weather are worn down or broken apart. (Below) High wind speeds carve out a large boulder.
Erosion is when material is worn away from the earths surface. (Below) A river carved out a canyon over many years of running.
Deposition is the laying down of sediments by mediums such as wind, water, and ice. Sometimes the water in rivers deposits sand and other things to form deltas at the end where the water meets the sea. (Below) A delta at the and of a river.
Glaciers are one example of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Glaciers form from snow piling on top of each other. Eventually melted water goes to the bottom of the pile of snow and freezes. After a couple more years the snow at the top of the pile condenses to form small spherical bits called firn. Over time more firn develops and the firn that is already there becomes even more packed together until it forms ice. This is glacial ice. Glaciers can advance if snow continues to fall on the glacier or if the glacier is over 60 to 90 feet laminar can take place. (Below) Glacial ice.
Glaciers can also surge 40 to 60 meters a day due to increased snowfall or earthquakes. But if melting exceeds the accumulation then the ice retreats. The furthest point of the glacial advance is often marked by a terminal moraine with tells were the glacier grew the furthest. (Below) An example of an terminal moraine.
Often times an outwash plain occurs where meltwater from the glacier deposits sand and gravel sediments in front of the terminal moraine. The glacier melts revealing the eroded ground it once stood on.
This is the end of an glacial movement. An glacier is the perfect example of erosion, deposition, and weathering because the glacier erodes the ground when is moves, it deposits the outwash plain in front of the terminal moraine, and it weathers the rock by meltwater seeping into it and then freezing making the rock break down. Below you will find a video that explains all that I have talked about in a few short minuets. Sorry I can't play it here but if you click on the watch this video on you tube link it will take you to the same video on you tube. Be sure to check with your teacher before you go on you tube. Enjoy!
(A/N) Credit goes to Gem and her teacher. (Thanks Mrs. O'Connor :D )