
This is Johnson Wash, that runs down the middle of the canyon where we live. It is usually dry, but when it rains up north, we get flash floods. Is this an example of erosion, weathering, both, or neither?
-
Erosion
Yes, the is partially correct! You can tell by the muddy appearance of the water that it is carrying sand, clay and dirt along with it. Erosion is when bits of rock are moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity, so this counts as erosion.. -
Weathering
Yes, the is partially correct! The term "weathering" causes confusion because it sounds like it has something to do with weather. In Earth Science, weathering means "breaking apart." Weathering breaks rocks apart into smaller bits. The fast moving water causes smaller rocks to smash into larger rocks, breaking them apart. -
Both erosion and weathering
Yes! The flash flood in this photo is causing weathering, and erosion. As the flood decreases, and the water slows down, it will drop the sand, clay, dirt, and rocks in a process called deposition. -
Neither erosion nor weathering
No. This flash flood is causing both weathering and erosion.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.4.E.6.1 Identify the three categories of rocks: igneous, (formed from molten rock); sedimentary (pieces of other rocks and fossilized organisms); and metamorphic (formed from heat and pressure).
Bioclastics: Rocks With No Minerals | video |
Evaporites | video, learnalong, checked |
Igneous Rocks and Bubbles | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sedimentary Rocks | video, learnalong |
What is a Rock? | video, learnalong, checked |
Foliated and Unfoliated Rocks | text page, learnalong |
Identifying Igneous Rocks | text page, learnalong |
Intrusive and Extrusive Igneous Rocks | text page, learnalong |
Light and Dark Minerals | text page, learnalong |
Homemade Fossil Dig | text page |
Review Rocks-1 | practice |
Review Rocks-2 | practice |
Review Rocks-3 | practice |
Review Rocks-4 | practice |
Review Rocks-5 | practice |
Review Rocks-6 | practice |
Review Rocks-8 | practice |
Review Rocks-9 | practice |
Review Rocks-7 | practice |
Review Rocks-10 | practice |
Review Rocks-10 | practice |
Review Rocks-10 | practice |
SC.7.E.6.2 Identify the patterns within the rock cycle and relate them to surface events (weathering and erosion) and sub-surface events (plate tectonics and mountain building).
Continuous Change | video, checked |
Bioclastics: Rocks With No Minerals | video |
Weathering and Erosion | video, learnalong, checked |
Evaporites | video, learnalong, checked |
What is a Rock? | video, learnalong, checked |
The Rock Cycle | video, learnalong |
Change: Fast and Slow | video |
Erosion | video, checked |
Review Rocks-1 | practice |
Review Erosion-1 | practice |
Review Erosion-2 | practice |
Review Erosion-3 | practice |
Review Erosion-4 | practice |
Review Erosion-5 | practice |
Review Rocks-4 | practice |
Review Rocks-5 | practice |
Review Rocks-6 | practice |
Review Rocks-8 | practice |
Review Rocks-9 | practice |
Review Rocks-7 | practice |
Review Rocks-10 | practice |
Review Rocks-10 | practice |
Utah
UT.4.III.2.b Distinguish between weathering (i.e., wearing down and breaking of rock surfaces) and erosion (i.e., the movement of materials).
Change: Fast and Slow | video |
Erosion | video, checked |
Weathering and Erosion | video, learnalong, checked |
Review Erosion-1 | practice |
Review Erosion-2 | practice |
Review Erosion-3 | practice |
Review Erosion-4 | practice |
Review Erosion-5 | practice |
UT.5.II.1.a Identify the objects, processes, or forces that weather and erode Earth’s surface (e.g., ice, plants, animals, abrasion, gravity, water, wind)
Change: Fast and Slow | video |
Erosion | video, checked |
Continuous Change | video, checked |
Weathering and Erosion | video, learnalong, checked |
Review Erosion-4 | practice |
Review Erosion-5 | practice |
Review Erosion-1 | practice |
Review Erosion-2 | practice |
Review Erosion-3 | practice |
UT.8.III.2.b Describe the role of energy in the processes that change rock materials over time.
Weathering and Erosion | video, learnalong, checked |
Igneous Rocks and Bubbles | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sedimentary Rocks | video, learnalong |
Change: Fast and Slow | video |
Erosion | video, checked |
Continuous Change | video, checked |
NGSS
4-ESS2-1 Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
Change: Fast and Slow | video |
Erosion | video, checked |
Continuous Change | video, checked |
Weathering and Erosion | video, learnalong, checked |
Review Erosion-4 | practice |
Review Erosion-5 | practice |
Review Erosion-1 | practice |
Review Erosion-2 | practice |
Review Erosion-3 | practice |