Erosion

Mechanical and chemical destruction of the land and the removal of material by moving water, wind or ice.
Sediment and organic material is removed from one location, then transported to another location where it is deposited

Physical Weathering

Impact and Abrasion:
• Example

Ice Wedging:

Salt Crystal Growth:
• Example

Exfoliation:
• Exfoliation example 1
• Exfoliation example 2

Thermal Expansion:

Root Wedging:
• Root Wedging example 1
• Root Wedging example 2
• Root Wedging example 3
• Root Wedging example 4

Chemical Weathering

Chemical alteration of rocks and minerals, causing a weakening of the structure.

Hydrolysis:

Hydration:
• Example

Oxidation:
• Example

Dissolution:
• Example

Ion Exchange:

Slope Erosion

Precipitation impacts on the surface - dislodges soil and sediment
Splash Erosion

Slope Erosion
New material is created by chemical, mechanical and biologic processes
Amount of loss on average equals the amount of replacement - therefore the soil tends to maintain itself

Accelerated Erosion

Reduction of vegetation can lead to accelerated erosion - rapid removal
Occurs naturally and through human influences
Causes of Vegetation Loss:

Gully Erosion

In areas cleared of vegetation, water flowing downhill quickly cuts small channels or rills into the slope
Widening and deepening of these rills results in gullies
Gullies will keep the water flow concentrated, further increasing the rate of erosion

Sediment

Colluvium:
Alluvium:

Stream Erosion

Major force of erosion
Three processes:
Hydraulic Action
Abrasion
Corrosion

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