Earth Science
The major units of study in earth science this year include the water cycle, weathering and erosion, tectonic plate movement and changes of the Earth over time. As we examine how the Earth's resources form and are changed over time, we will see how they are important to humans and all of the natural world.
Weathering and Erosion
How does an oxbow lake form? What causes sinkholes? In this unit we are learning about weathering, erosion, and deposition. These processes create some very interesting formations and cause some not so constructive events. Here are some resources to help you learn more about weathering and erosion.
Weathering can be either physical (also called mechanical) or chemical. Click here for an overview.
- Check out this animation of mechanical weathering of ice in cracks of rocks here.
- Learn more about chemical weathering here.
Erosion is the transport of weathered materials from one place to another. Wind, water, gravity, ice are four main agents of erosion.
- Click here to learn more.
Deposition heis the depositing or laying down of sediments or pieces of rock in a new place. This deposition creates new landforms like deltas and moraines.
- Click here for an overview of many examples of depostion.
- Check out this animation of mechanical weathering of ice in cracks of rocks here.
- Learn more about chemical weathering here.
Erosion is the transport of weathered materials from one place to another. Wind, water, gravity, ice are four main agents of erosion.
- Click here to learn more.
Deposition heis the depositing or laying down of sediments or pieces of rock in a new place. This deposition creates new landforms like deltas and moraines.
- Click here for an overview of many examples of depostion.
Let's see some sinkholes in action!
Learn about the latest sinkhole situation in Michigan here. Would you consider this a true sinkhole?
Want to understand more about glaciers? Learn how they are formed, how they weather rock, and how they create a LOT of erosion. How do glaciers shape the landscape? The formation of glaciers. The work of glaciers. Glacier formation made easy (described by a teacher from Indiana). All About Glaciers for Kids. A glacier in Central Park? Check it out here.
How do sinkholes form? What are caves and how do they form? Are there things that live in caves? Are there caves in canyons?
Rivers and Stream Erosion - Learn about how rivers and streams create changes on the Earth's surface. We explore how a stream can change the course of the flow of the river using our stream tables. Check out the links below for more examples of stream erosion.
Watch a time lapse stream table erosion sequence here.
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This is a much larger stream table. How does this set-up explain more about the affects of stream erosion?
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Here's a list of links for more stream erosion exploration!
What is a meander? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STgbHFvUMlE
Why do rivers curve? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3r-cG8Wic
A weathering and erosion crash course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Iak3Wvh9c
Meanders and oxbow lakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qKS_Nk7UmY
Meandering river dyed red https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubP_-ptVDbY
What is a meander? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STgbHFvUMlE
Why do rivers curve? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3r-cG8Wic
A weathering and erosion crash course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Iak3Wvh9c
Meanders and oxbow lakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qKS_Nk7UmY
Meandering river dyed red https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubP_-ptVDbY
River Deltas and Their Formation Use the links found here to help you understand how a delta is formed. This process of deposition has created lands that have advanced human civilization.
How a Delta Is Formed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGHAO15hROs Delta Flow Animation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lblKcVclHA Evolution of Louisiana's Delta's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99p2juCzSSs |
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BONUS! What happens to rivers as they flow to the sea or the ocean? Do smaller rivers meet to make bigger rivers? You know that already, if you live in this part of Illinois! They call it a confluence. Click here to learn what a confluence is. The article also describes how a delta is formed.
Rivers are important to us here in this area as they are sources of water and avenues for transporting goods. Think about the names of the nearby towns: Shorewood (near the shore of the DuPage River) and Joliet (a famous explorer of our rivers). What does the name of the village of Channahon mean? Click here and here to learn about our local confluence.
Rivers are important to us here in this area as they are sources of water and avenues for transporting goods. Think about the names of the nearby towns: Shorewood (near the shore of the DuPage River) and Joliet (a famous explorer of our rivers). What does the name of the village of Channahon mean? Click here and here to learn about our local confluence.
So, what is a sinkhole? How does it form? Is it an example of weathering, erosion, or deposition? Let Wonderopolis explain sinkholes. What about the oxbow lake? Click here to review meandering streams as they develop. Click here to see the oxbow lake formation as an animation.