Cycle of erosion

Imagine you are playing with a sandcastle at the beach. You pile up the sand, make it into a cool shape, and then the water from the ocean comes and washes it all away. This is a basic idea of the cycle of erosion!

The cycle of erosion is a process that happens over and over again in nature. It starts when the land is exposed to weather, like rain and wind, which can break rocks into smaller and smaller pieces. These smaller pieces, called sediment, get carried away by water, wind or ice to a new location.

Then, the sediment might get deposited in a new place, like a river bed, delta, or ocean floor. Over time, the sediment builds up and gets compacted into rock. The rock can then be exposed to weather again, which starts the cycle all over again.

This process can take millions of years, and as it happens, different forces can shape the land in different ways. For example, a river may cut through a mountain and create a canyon. Waves from the ocean can carve out cliffs and beaches.

Overall, the cycle of erosion is a natural process that helps to shape our planet and create new landscapes. It happens slowly over time, but it can have a big impact on the world around us!