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Title
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Erosion Modeling
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Type
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Primary: Laboratory
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Operation
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Tectonic Fury
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Mission:
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Mission 2: Earth's Changing Face
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Print Page
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51
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Subjects
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Science | Earth and space science | Earth processes | Erosion | Sediment deposition | Science as inquiry | Science process skills | Analyzing data | Collecting data | Communicating | Experimenting | Interpreting data | Measuring | Modeling | Observing | Predicting | Scientific habits of mind
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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erosion, experiment, stream table, predicting, observing, data, model, sediment, variable
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Duration
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01:30:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers | Elementary Grades | Junior High
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Created On
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5/7/2010
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Copyright
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Top image: Michael Nichols/National Geographic Image Collection; Background image: Robert B. Goodman/National Geographic Image Collection
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From: Tectonic Fury Mission 2: Earth's Changing Face (pp: 51) |
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Erosion Modeling In this activity, students will construct a model landscape that will be subjected to the forces of erosion and deposition. Using this model, they will investigate and monitor the levels of erosion and deposition within different areas of the landscape. |
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When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, thousands of kilograms of sediment were quickly eroded during the blast. Some sediment was transported via the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. When Virginia Dale and her team arrived on the mountain, they also saw evidence of other types of erosion. As the heat from the eruption melted the snow into water, the water quickly moved down the mountain. This water quickly eroded large areas and deposited sediment, some ten meters (32.8 ft) deep, throughout the area surrounding the mountain.
In this activity, you will construct a model landscape that will be subjected to the forces of erosion and deposition. Using this model, you will investigate and monitor the levels of erosion and deposition within different areas of the landscape.
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| Materials |
- Lab 2 Data Sheet
- stream table
- polystyrene or paper cup
- water container
- craft stick
- sand
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- rocks
- stream table supports
- ruler
- string
- masking tape
- clay
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| Lab Prep |
- Set up the stream table as outlined in the data sheet.
- Add structures, such as rocks or levees, to the sediment (sand) and document the location of these on your data sheet. Draw the landscape on your data sheet.
- Set up a labeled grid on the top of the stream table as outlined in the data sheet.
- Starting with 0 at one end, use a pen to mark 0.5 cm increments on your craft stick.
- With 0 at the bottom, push the craft stick straight down into the sand at each grid location. Document the initial height of the sand at each location on your data sheet.
- Smooth the surface of the sand at each grid location where the craft stick was placed.
- Determine and document on your data sheet the location where the water will pour into the stream table. Before pouring the water, predict which areas will have high or low levels of erosion, and which areas will have high or low levels of deposition.
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| Make Observations |
- Position the cup and run the model by filling the cup with water from the water container. Make sure you continue to refill the cup as it empties. Document your observations as the model runs.
- When the model is done running, determine the height of the sand at each grid location using your stick.
- Identify areas of high and low erosion and deposition.
- Document the amount of erosion and deposition that took place at these locations by determining the change in elevation between the initial and final heights.
- Compare and contrast your predictions in Lab Prep step 7 with the results.
- Identify some of the variables that may be influencing erosion and deposition in the areas you identified.
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| Extension |
Repeat the experiment changing one of the following variables: shape of your initial landform, composition of your sediment, placement of starting water flow, or placement of added structures. Share your results with your class.
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Journal Question
Why should communities be aware of areas of erosion and deposition in their local area? Recommend some strategies for monitoring erosion and deposition in your area. |
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