When soil moves from the location it was created, this is called
erosion. It is a natural process, but can become worse by human
activity.
Types of Soil Erosion
(i) Rain drop or splash erosion: Erosion preceded by the
destruction of the crumb structure due to the impact of falling
raindrop on the surface of soil is termed as splash erosion.
(ii) Sheet erosion: It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in
thin layers from the land surface, often scarcely perceptible,
especially when caused by wind. Areas where loose, shallow topsoil
overlies compact soil are most susceptible to sheet erosion.
(iii) Rill erosion: A form of water erosion in which numerous
very small and more or less straight channels are produced; the
channels get obliterated by ordinary use. It can be removed by
normal tillage operations.
(iv) Gully erosion: A form of water erosion in which gullies are
produced by combination of unattended rills.
(v) Stream bank erosion: Stream banks are eroded by water either
flowing over the sides of a stream or scouring at the base. It is
aggravated by removal of vegetation, over grazing or cultivation
near the stream banks.
You are stading at a location where erosion is taking place.
To log this earthcache, email the following answers. Do not
place the answers in your log.
1) in the first line of your email: put Agents of Change:
Erosion GC37TYG
2) based on the descriptions, what type of erosion is taking
place? Why do you say so?
3) as you look at the bottom of the erosion, what do you see
going perpendicular to the flow of water? Can erosion continue to
cut through here? Why or why not?
4) As you look uphill, you can spot the cause of human increased
erosion. What is the cause?
A group picture nearby (not showing the erosion) would be nice
but not required. Pictures are a great way to share your visit!
Congrats to FoxFire, Ranger Fox, Night-Ranger, Diefenbaker and
Okie.Bug on the FTF! They had to subject themselves to my earth
science lesson while I planned this one. They deserve the FTF!
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