Name
Class
Date
How does gravity cause erosion?
Lesson Review
Complete the following. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
1. What is mass erosion? _______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Name two examples of slow mass erosion. ____________________________________________________
3. Name two examples of rapid mass erosion. ____________________________________________________
4. What is gravity? ____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What is talus? ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How is earthflow different from creep? _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
7. How does gravity differ from all other agents of erosion? _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How can gravity cause movement of Earth materials? __________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill Challenge
Skills: applying concepts, interpreting diagrams
The map below shows some of the main rivers in the United States. Beside each
river, draw an arrow to show the direction in which the river flows. Then, answer
the questions that follow.
1. Toward what do rivers flow?
______________________________
2. What force determines the
direction in which direction a
river will flow? ________________
Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, Teacher’s Resources CD-ROM
(c) by Pearson Education, Inc./Globe Fearon/Pearson Learning Group. All rights reserved.
Erosion
Answer Key
How does gravity cause erosion?
Lesson Review
1. downhill movement of weathered materials
caused by gravity 2. creep, earthflow 3. mudflows,
landslides 4. a force that pulls all things on Earth
toward Earth's center 5. pile of rocks and rock
particles that collects at the base of a slope
6. Earthflow is the slow movement of soil and plant
life down a slope. Creep is an even slower
movement caused by gravity pulling soil and rocks
down a gentle slope. 7. Gravity is a force, while the
other agents of erosion are materials in motion.
8. The pull of gravity can cause objects to move from
areas of higher elevation to areas of lower elevation.
Skill Challenge
Check students’ drawings to make sure their arrows
point toward the oceans. 1. oceans 2. gravity
Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, Teacher’s Resources CD-ROM
(c) by Pearson Education, Inc./Globe Fearon/Pearson Learning Group. All rights reserved.
Erosion