Which erosion agent carved the Grand Canyon?

Water! The Colorado River has been cutting through rock for about 5–6 million years, creating the canyon we see today.

How does a glacier change the shape of a valley?

Glaciers are heavy rivers of ice that grind the valley floor and sides, turning a narrow V-shape into a wide U-shape.

Pro 🔒~10 min

Landforms & Erosion

Watch water, wind, and ice shape the landscape over time

How it works

Erosion is the process that breaks down and moves rock and soil from one place to another. Water erosion is the most powerful — rivers carve valleys, and ocean waves reshape coastlines. Wind erosion is strongest in dry areas with loose soil, creating sand dunes and wearing down rock faces. Glacial erosion happens when massive ice sheets slowly grind across the land, scooping out U-shaped valleys and leaving behind boulders. Weathering (breaking rock apart) works together with erosion (carrying pieces away). Over thousands of years these forces create landforms like canyons, mesas, deltas, and beaches.

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Step-by-step

Select an erosion agent and set the time scale, then press Play!
The landscape will change before your eyes as erosion reshapes it.
Drag the time slider to speed up or slow down.
Compare how water, wind, and ice each leave different marks on the land.

Key formulas

$E = k \cdot F \cdot t$ Erosion (E) depends on the force of the agent (F), time (t), and the rock's resistance (k)

Frequently asked questions

Which erosion agent carved the Grand Canyon?: Water! The Colorado River has been cutting through rock for about 5–6 million years, creating the canyon we see today.
How does a glacier change the shape of a valley?: Glaciers are heavy rivers of ice that grind the valley floor and sides, turning a narrow V-shape into a wide U-shape.