Weathering and Erosion online worksheet - Free Printable

The task is to identify whether each image depicts weathering or erosion. Let's analyze each image step by step:

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Weathering vs. Erosion

- Weathering: The breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface due to exposure to air, water, temperature changes, and biological activity. Weathering occurs in place and does not involve the movement of material.
- Erosion: The process by which weathered materials (such as soil, rock fragments, and sediment) are transported away from their original location by natural agents like wind, water, ice, or gravity.

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Image Analysis

#### Top Left Image
- Description: Rainwater is falling on a rocky slope, and small particles are breaking off and rolling down.
- Explanation: This shows the action of rainwater causing rocks to break apart, which is an example of weathering. The broken pieces then roll down the slope, but the primary process depicted here is the breakdown of the rock.
- Answer: Weathering

#### Top Right Image
- Description: A large rock formation with cracks running through it.
- Explanation: The cracks in the rock suggest that the rock has been broken down over time due to factors like temperature changes, pressure, or chemical reactions. This is a classic example of weathering because the rock is breaking apart in place.
- Answer: Weathering

#### Middle Left Image
- Description: A glacier moving across a landscape, pushing and grinding rocks beneath it.
- Explanation: Glaciers can both weather and erode. However, in this case, the glacier is shown moving and transporting debris, which indicates erosion. The movement of the glacier carries away the weathered material.
- Answer: Erosion

#### Middle Right Image
- Description: Sea stacks (isolated rock formations) in the ocean, with waves crashing against them.
- Explanation: The sea stacks are being worn down by the constant action of waves. This is an example of erosion, as the waves are physically removing material from the rock formations.
- Answer: Erosion

#### Bottom Left Image
- Description: A river flowing through a landscape, carrying sediment.
- Explanation: Rivers transport sediment and wear away the land they flow over. This is a clear example of erosion, as the river is actively moving material downstream.
- Answer: Erosion

#### Bottom Right Image
- Description: A volcano erupting, with lava flowing down its slopes.
- Explanation: Volcanic activity can cause both weathering and erosion, but in this case, the lava flow is moving down the slope, which is an example of erosion. The lava is reshaping the landscape by removing and depositing material.
- Answer: Erosion

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Final Answers

1. Top Left: Weathering
2. Top Right: Weathering
3. Middle Left: Erosion
4. Middle Right: Erosion
5. Bottom Left: Erosion
6. Bottom Right: Erosion

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Boxed Final Answer

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{cc}
\text{Weathering} & \text{Weathering} \\
\text{Erosion} & \text{Erosion} \\
\text{Erosion} & \text{Erosion} \\
\end{array}
}
\]