Erosion
What is erosion?
When pieces of rock are moved from one place to another. The rocks pieces break apart and are moved.
What does the word "elevation" mean?
The height above sea level.
True or False: ALL big rain storms lead to flash floods.
True or False: Flash Floods happen mainly near high elevations.
True - water flows quickly down an area with high elevation (hills, mountains, etc.)
What does "steep"mean?
True or False: Rivers begin at low elevation.
False. Rivers start near mountains, which are at high elevations.
What does the word "absorb" mean?
To take/soak in
True or False: Canyons were formed within a day.
False. Erosion happens over a long period of time.
Explain the connection between erosion and sand.
When the rocks tumble down the mountains, they begin to break apart. They continue to crash into each other and are carried down the river. They break into smaller pieces as they go, eventually forming sand.
True or false: Rivers flow outwards towards the ocean.
True
What happens when rain hits sand / sandy soil?
The water is absorbed between the grains of sand.
What is a landslide?
When lots of rock and soil roll down from a cliff or mountain.
What is a canyon?
A canyon is a deep hole in the ground caused by water over time.
Explain how sand gets to the beach.
The river carries the sand down to the beach. The sand particles are made up of little pieces of rock, which crash among each other and eventually break into smaller pieces.
What happens when water hits clay?
The water stays on the surface. Clay does not absorb water quickly.
What helps to prevent a landslide?
Plants and trees help to prevent landslides because the leaves catch the water, causing it to fall slower.
Erosion. Over the years, water causes soil and rocks to erode.
What is the difference between a pond and a river?
answers will vary.
What happens when water hits rocks?
The water trickles down the rocks. Rocks do not absorb water. They are water-proof.
How does water move so quickly during flash floods? (hint: think about what mountains are made out of - rocks!)
Rain flows downhill and the mountain rocks do not absorb the water, causing the water to move quickly.