Landforms & Erosion

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

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.