Hobbies And Interests
Erosion on Mountains
Start by asking students to make a pile of dirt in a place that can be exposed to the wind and rain over the course of several weeks. Let them make a miniature mountain by decorating it with grass, rocks and plants; add small peaks and valleys. Ask them to draw and measure the original height and width of their mini-mountain, recording the observations in a notebook. If you̵7;re short on time, use an electric fan to substitute as wind. For rain, sprinkle water over the top of the mountain.
Miniature Flowing River
This experiment will mimic the effect of flowing water in a river. Rivers carry sediment and dissolved materials. To create the experiment, cut off the side of a large milk or fruit juice carton, empty it and prop one end so that nothing will spill. Then make a small cut on the other end. Now fill the carton halfway with sand. Slowly pour small amounts of water into the angled carton. The water should roll with gravity, carving through the sand, and will eventually settle at the bottom.
Erosion Caused by Wind
Huge sandstorms aren̵7;t only for the movies. Such sandstorms change the size and shapes of deserts. To mimic these effects, fill a wide plastic box with sand, making various miniature landscapes. Use a fan to blow parallel to the surface. The wind will alter the surface, gradually causing erosion.
Man and Erosion
Man also affects erosion ̵1; at least on an indirect level. By cutting down trees and altering landscapes, including the creation of crops, man can greatly affect the erosion of an area. When landscapes are altered, these areas become far more influenced by natural winds. To mimic this, find two large plastic tubs. Fill both with dirt. In one, plant several plants. Place a fan over the projects and monitor how the artificial wind affects the two different tubs.