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Definition
Rock Particles that have been picked
up and transported (eroded) to
another area will eventually be
deposited in that area
When does it occur?
Deposition occurs
when wind/water
slow down/stop (or
ice melts)
Deposition agents
The same erosional agents that made
sediments from one place to another will
act as a depositional agents.
Wind
Running water
Ice
Gravity
Man
Fast H2O = erosion Slow H2O =
Depostion
Sedimentation
When the carrying power of an
erosional agent decreases, sediment
will begin to be deposited, this is
called sedimentation (takes place in
lakes oceans, and still bodies of
water)
Deposition Factors
Particle Size
Larger particles settle quicker than the
smaller ones, when carrying power
diminishes (velocity)
Colloidal (extremely small) particles may
remain in suspension longer will get
deposited in the middle of a lake or
ocean where water is not moving.
Sorting Sediments
When a mixture of sediment sizes settles
in a still medium (air or water)…..sorting
takes place.
Graded Bedding shows vertical sorting.
Cross Bedding
Sediments sorted at random sizes to the
horizon
Deposition Factors
Particle Shape
Particle
Density: similar size, >D =
faster ↓
Sorting of Sediments
Vertical Sorting:
theroundest, largest, and
densest particles settle at the
bottom of a layer, while flatter,
smaller, less dense particles
settle on the top (landslide,
underwater landslides)
Deposition Factors
Velocity (speed) of erosional agent
Decreasing velocity produces horizontal sorting
Large particles deposited by shore, smaller
particles deposited (carried) farther.
Sorting of Sediments
Horizontal Sorting:
for example, at the mouth of a
stream, size will decrease away
from the mouth, as the speed
slows enough to deposit smaller
particles; large particle fall right
away (DELTA!)
HORIZONTAL SORTING
Stream enters a large body of water,
the velocity decreases and deposition
occurs
Dendritic
Radial
Rectangular
Trellis
Drainage Patterns of
Watersheds
Dendritic
Radial
Rectangular
Trellis
Drainage Patterns of
Watersheds
Dendritic
Radial
Rectangular
Trellis
Drainage Patterns of
Watersheds
Dendritic
Radial
Rectangular
Trellis
Deposition Factors
Glacial Depostion
Breaks the rules
Will deposit sediments of all sizes
Unsorted, all mixed up
Till – Dropped by glacier
Outwash – deposited by meltwater
Erratics – Very large boulders
Factors that affect
DEPOSITION
Particle Size: smaller = slower
Particle Shape: more surface area
= slower
Particle Density: similar size, >D =
faster ↓
Velocity of transport: > speed =
slower
Erosional/Depositional
System
Combines the erosional process, the
transporting agents and the process
of deposition
Energy Relationships
Potential Energy:
Energy that can be
used
Kinetic Energy:
Energy from
movement
W and Y: High P.E.
Low K.E.
X and Z: High K.E.
low P.E.
Dynamic Equilibrium of a
Stream
Rate of Erosion = Rate of Deposition
Maybe found at the mouth of a river
or the middle of a curve