Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition: A Complete Worksheet Guide
Understanding how the Earth’s surface changes over time is a core part of earth science. The processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition (WED) shape mountains, valleys, and coastlines. This article outlines a practical, teacher‑ready worksheet that helps students master these concepts, complete with printable extensions, model‑making activities, and a quiz that aligns with the Gr8 CAPS curriculum.
What Is Weathering?
Weathering is the physical or chemical breakdown of rocks and minerals at or near the Earth’s surface. It does not transport material; it merely weakens the source rock. Students can distinguish between:
- Physical weathering – processes such as freeze‑thaw, thermal expansion, or abrasion that break rocks into smaller fragments.
- Chemical weathering – reactions like oxidation or dissolution that alter the mineral composition.
To reinforce this distinction, the worksheet asks students to label a diagram of a rock undergoing each type of weathering and to write a short explanation of the mechanisms involved.
How Does Erosion Transport Material?
Erosion follows weathering by moving the broken rock fragments from their source to a new location. Water, wind, ice, and gravity are the main agents of erosion. The worksheet includes a flowchart where students match each agent to examples such as:
- River water carrying sand downstream.
- Wind blowing sand across a desert.
- Ice sheets grinding the bedrock.
- Gravity sliding debris down a slope.
Students will also compare the speed of transport for each agent, noting that glaciers move material slowly but can transport large boulders, while rivers move finer sediment faster.
Deposition: Where the Journey Ends
Deposition is the settling of eroded materials. The worksheet provides a series of case studies where students identify the type of deposit—such as a sandbar, alluvial fan, or glacial moraine—and explain the conditions that lead to each form.
Make a Model of a River System
Hands‑on modeling is an effective way to visualize WED. The worksheet includes step‑by‑step instructions for building a simple river model using a clear tray, sand, water, and a small stone. Students observe:
- How water erodes the sand.
- Where sediment accumulates.
- How changes in slope affect deposition.
After the demonstration, students record observations in a worksheet log, linking real‑world processes to their model.
Downloadable Extension Activities
To deepen engagement, teachers
