Let’s go through each statement one by one and figure out whether it’s caused by
erosion,
deposition, or
weathering.
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1. Ice wedging into the rock and breaking and cracking the rocks and soil.
- This is when water gets into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and breaks the rock apart.
- That’s a classic example of
weathering — specifically mechanical weathering.
✔ Answer: Weathering
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2. The wind blows sand to form a sand dune.
- Wind picks up sand (that’s erosion), carries it, and then drops it somewhere else to build a dune.
- Building something new with dropped material =
deposition.
✔ Answer: Deposition
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3. Unique rock shapes that form when wind and/or water cause various particles to hit the rocks which creates unique rock shapes over time.
- Particles hitting rocks and wearing them down = this is like sandblasting nature.
- It’s wearing away the rock surface → that’s
erosion.
✔ Answer: Erosion
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4. A sinkhole forms when the rock below the ground wears out and then everything about it gives way and caves in.
- “Wears out” means the rock is being broken down or dissolved (often by water).
- That breakdown process is
weathering (chemical weathering if dissolved, mechanical if cracked).
- Even though the cave-in happens after, the key action described is the wearing out → so
weathering.
✔ Answer: Weathering
*(Note: Some might argue erosion if water carried the material away, but the description focuses on “wearing out,” which points more to weathering.)*
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5. Waves dropping sand on the beach.
- Waves carry sand and then drop it on the shore.
- Dropping material =
deposition.
✔ Answer: Deposition
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6. A lot of rain quickly or the rapid melting of snow will cause a landslide.
- Rain or meltwater loosens soil/rock, and gravity pulls it downhill.
- The movement and carrying away of material =
erosion.
✔ Answer: Erosion
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Final Answers:
1. Weathering
2. Deposition
3. Erosion
4. Weathering
5. Deposition
6. Erosion
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Final Answer:
Weathering, Deposition, Erosion, Weathering, Deposition, Erosion
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of weathering erosion and deposition worksheet.
