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What is the water cycle?

Let me introduce myself. I am Drippy, your host at the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science School. And, what is the water cycle? I can easily answer that-it is "me" all over! The water cycle describes the existence and movement of water on, in, and above the Earth.

Earth's water is always in movement and is always changing states, from liquid to vapor to ice and back again. The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all life on Earth depends on it continuing to work; the Earth would be a pretty stale place to live without it.

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Let me introduce myself. I am Drippy, your host at the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science School. And, what is the water cycle? I can easily answer that-it is "me" all over! The water cycle describes the existence and movement of water on, in, and above the Earth.

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Weathering and Erosion: Crash Course Kids #10.2

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Landforms, Hey!: Crash Course Kids #17.1

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Posted on by Last updated on: February 23, 2015

Erosion vs Deposition

It is not hard to understand the difference between erosion and deposition, if you understand the sequence of the geological processes that form relief features on the earth. The physical features of the surface of the earth keep on changing all the time on geological time scale. This is how we see mountains, valleys, plains, rivers, and other relief features. These topographical features are a result of natural geological processes called erosion and deposition. These are closely related concepts though totally opposite to each other. This is why there is confusion in the minds of many students of physical geography. This article attempts to clarify the doubts regarding natural processes called erosion and deposition. Let us take a closer look.

What is Erosion?

The movement of rock pieces from one place to another, once they have been loosened by the action of physical or chemical weathering, is known as erosion. It is the erosion that is responsible for many of the relief features that we see on the surface of the earth. Small pieces of rocks, sediment, and even soil are moved away by the action of natural geological agents such as flowing water, blowing winds, and melting ice of glaciers under the influence of gravity. Most of the relief features such as hills and valleys are a result of erosion that is a constant, continuous process that goes on unabated in nature. Thus, in simplest of words, erosion is the removal of loosened rock pieces from a higher elevation to a lowly point with the action of natural agents.

Erosion is considered a threat as it can cause landslides. There are different measures that are taken to prevent erosion such as planting trees on hill surfaces to stop water washing off the soil and dragging the top layer with it during the rainy season. Also, to stop rivers and the oceans from eroding banks or the beach, huge rock barriers are made.

What is Deposition?

The process of erosion is complete when the journey of all particles falling and flowing under gravity is done with and all the sedimentation gets deposited and settles on the surface. The final process is the process of deposition. Technically speaking, deposition is a part of the process of erosion. If erosion can be thought of as a sequence, it includes detachment, entrainment, transport, and finally deposition. Detachment is the end process of weathering that finally results in loosening of rock particles. Entrainment refers to the actual transport of these particles through a natural agent such as water, wind, or melting ice that slides down at some speed because of the action of gravity.

Deposition of sediments along the surface of the earth creates relief features such as hills, plateaus, valleys, plains, slopes, and so on. One can see the effect of continuous deposition at a place in the way colors of layers of rocks change one over the other. It is through carbon dating that one can get to know about the ages of various rock layers that are deposited at a place over thousands of years.

What is the difference between Erosion and Deposition?

* Erosion and deposition are continuous geological processes that are natural and result in relief features seen over the surface of the earth.

* If erosion is seen as a sequence of events, deposition takes place at last when the rock particles finally settle down on the surface of earth. So, erosion is the beginning of a process while deposition is the end of the same long process.

* Erosion is the movement of rock particles once they have been loosened by the action of natural agents of weather and others like roots of plants. Or, in other words, erosion is removal of loosened rock pieces from a higher elevation to a lowly point with the action of natural agents.

* When all particles falling and flowing under gravity is done with and all the sedimentation gets deposited and settles on the surface, we call it deposition. Now the particles that came a long way do not move anymore.

* Erosion can happen because of natural agents such as water, ice, and wind. However, when somehow these agents are disturbed and they cannot keep on dragging the particles, deposition takes place.

* Without erosion, deposition cannot take place.
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difference between erosion and deposition

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Difference Between Erosion and Deposition

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Posted on by Last updated on: February 23, 2015 It is not hard to understand the difference between erosion and deposition, if you understand the sequence of the geological processes that form relief features on the earth. The physical features of the surface of the earth keep on changing all the time on geological time scale.

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Weathering, erosion, and deposition are processes that act together to wear down and build up the Earth's surface. These processes have occurred over billions of years.

Weathering is any process that breaks down rocks and creates sediments. There are two forces of weathering, chemical and mechanical (physical).

Chemical weathering is decomposition of rock caused by chemical reactions resulting in formation of new compound.

Mechanical (physical) weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces.

Erosion is the process by which natural forces move weathered rock and soil from one place to another. Gravity, running water, glaciers, waves, and wind all cause erosion. The material moved by erosion is sediment.

Deposition occurs when the agents (wind or water) of erosion lay down sediment. Deposition changes the shape of the land.

Erosion, weathering, and deposition are at work everywhere on Earth. Gravity pulls everything toward the center of Earth causing rock and other materials to move downhill. Water's movements (both on land and underground) cause weathering and erosion, which change the land's surface features and create underground formations.

The effects of these processes are as follows:

Changes in shape, size, and texture of land-forms (i.e. mountains, riverbeds, and beaches)

Landslides

Buildings, statues, and roads wearing away

Soil formation

Washes soil, pollutants, harmful sediments into waterways

Causes metals to rust

Reduces beaches, shorelines

Delta formation

Formation of various new landforms

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Weathering, erosion, and deposition are processes that act together to wear down and build up the Earth's surface. These processes have occurred over billions of years. Weathering is any process that breaks down rocks and creates sediments. There are two forces of weathering, chemical and mechanical (physical).

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Map Your Schoolyard | USGS Schoolyard Geology

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Mapping the schoolyard to learn the concept of maps.

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At USGS Kids, you'll find games, puzzles, stories, and projects that help kids learn about nature and conservation while having fun.