How does erosion and weathering affect the Earth?

Learn about the processes of weathering and erosion and how it influences our planet. ... Weathering and erosion slowly chisel, polish, and buff Earth's rock into ever evolving works of art—and then wash the remains into the sea. The processes are ... As they grow, so do the cracks, eventually splitting into bits and pieces. read more

Water erosion directly affects the immediate area surrounding the eroded location and passively affects areas where the water flows. In the immediate area, soil loses its nutrients and minerals, which harms plants growing from the soil since they are unable to get the food they need to survive. read more

Erosion changes the landscape of cities, mountains, buildings and rivers. Because of the ubiquity of erosion and the role it plays in the lives of billions of people, it is important to understand the ways in which erosion affects the Earth. read more

The short answer is that weathering and erosion cause the Earth to be round. Two energy sources generally shape the Earth. (1) The decay of radioactive minerals inside the planet converts nuclear energy into thermal energy that continuously builds up inside the planet and moves toward the surface through enormous convection currents of molten rock. read more

Wind erosion picks up small bits of sediment that hit any obstacles in its path. This means that plants and crops are in danger from this type of erosion. The wind picks up loose particles, which damage the structure and stability similarly to water erosion, making it easier for later wind to pick up more particulates. read more

Erosion occurs every day all over the Earth. It is a natural process involving wind, water, the sun and many other forces at work on the planet. Erosion changes the landscape of cities, mountains, buildings and rivers. read more