Landforms

A review of stream table experiments with erosion and deposition

1. LandformsLandforms

2. What are landforms?What are landforms?
A landform is a shape or feature of the
earth’s surface. There are many, many
landforms.
Mountains, valleys, plains, and canyons are
examples of some major landforms.
Landforms affect how and where people live.

3. ErosionErosion
A river or stream moving over the surface of the earth can erode or A river or stream moving over the surface of the earth can erode or
wear away earth materials. This process is called wear away earth materials. This process is called erosionerosion. A system of . A system of
rivers and streams that drain an area is called a rivers and streams that drain an area is called a drainage basin.drainage basin.

4. The water source placed over this stream tables represents a river The water source placed over this stream tables represents a river
flowing over a flowing over a plateauplateau.. A plateau is a large, nearly level area that has A plateau is a large, nearly level area that has
been lifted above the surrounding area. What do you notice about the been lifted above the surrounding area. What do you notice about the
edge of the edge of the cliffcliff??

5. FloodplainsFloodplains
Large areas of this Large areas of this plateauplateau are saturated with water. This is called a are saturated with water. This is called a
floodplainfloodplain. .

6. Channels and Channels and
MeandersMeanders
The blue dye
helps show
how the water
moves over the
surface of the
earth materials.
The course or
path the river
takes is called
its channel The
curves or loops
in its path are
called
meanders.

7. Can you see the main channel that is forming? Can you
find the meanders?

8. What are the v-shaped valleys seen in this photo? How What are the v-shaped valleys seen in this photo? How
were they formed?were they formed?
Those v-shaped valleys are canyons. Canyons are
formed by erosion.

9. What is the fan shaped landform that has formed What is the fan shaped landform that has formed
at the at the mouthmouth of this river? Where did the earth of this river? Where did the earth
material to make this landform come from?material to make this landform come from?
The fan shaped
landform is a delta.
It has been formed
by eroded earth
materials that have
been deposited at
the mouth of the
river.
Can you see why
this process is
called
“deposition”?

10. DepositionDeposition
In these images you can see that most of the sand is settling In these images you can see that most of the sand is settling
out near the mouth of the river. The clay is being moved and out near the mouth of the river. The clay is being moved and
deposited further downstream. Why do some particles travel deposited further downstream. Why do some particles travel
further than others?further than others?

11. DepositionDeposition
The large deltas shown in these stream tables are the result of
deposition. Eroded earth materials were carried by the moving water
and deposited in layers at the mouth of the river.
The heavier materials (the sand) settle out first. The lighter materials
(clay) are carried further by the moving water. Can you see the clay in
the water in these 2 stream tables? It looks like cloudy water.

12. Sediments and BasinsSediments and Basins
In this image you can
see the that erosion is
just beginning. The
earth material is
beginning to settle in a
low area, the basin.
The earth materials that
have been eroded and
are being deposited are
called sediments.
As more materials is
eroded and moved
downstream it will build
up in layers.

13. Canyons and DeltasCanyons and Deltas
CanyonsCanyons and and deltasdeltas can be easily seen in this stream table. can be easily seen in this stream table.
What is a canyon? What is a delta?What is a canyon? What is a delta?
Canyons are formed by e…
Erosion!
Deltas are formed by d…
Deposition!

14. Enjoy these beautiful photos of Enjoy these beautiful photos of
slides and canyonsslides and canyons