How does running water cause Erosion?

Running Water Running water changes more of the Earth’s surface than any other agent of erosion. Rivers, streams, and runoffare forms of running water. Runoffis water from rain or snow that flows over Earth’s surface. Runoff empties into streams and standing bodies of water such as lakes and ponds. What are the three forms of running water? Runoff and Erosion As runoff flows over Earth’s surface, the running water carries away soil particles. The faster the water moves the more soil the water may carry away. For example, gullies in a hillside are formed by erosion from runoff.The amount of rainfall, plant growth, and shape of the land affect the amount of runoff in an area. During heavy rains, there is a lot of runoff. However, plants help to stop erosion from runoff. The roots of plants take in some water and hold soil particles in place. For this reason, areas with many plants have less runoff than areas with little plants.Areas with steep slopes have the most runoff. The greater amount of runoff, the more erosion there will be.Which type of land below will have the most erosion? The least erosion? How does runoff cause erosion?Would there be more erosion from runoff on a hillside or on flat land? Explain.Can planting trees on a hillside help prevent running water from eroding the land? Explain. Formation of Rivers A river system usually forms in mountains or in hills. The place where a river starts is called its source. When water cannot soak into the ground, runoff flows down the slopes of the hill or mountain. The running water erodes the soil and cuts gullies into the slope or V-shapes into the land. A young river moves very fast and causes more erosion. Young, fast moving rivers can cut deep V-shaped valleys. An older river moves more slowly and causes less erosion. Rivers eventually empty into the ocean. The Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico creating a delta. A delta is a triangular deposit of sediment located at the mouth of a river. What shape does a river make in the land?Explain if an old river or young river will cause more erosion. Make sure to cite the evidence. Delta A triangular-shaped deposit of muddy land called a delta often forms at the mouth, or end, of a river. The river carries pieces of rock and soil through the process of erosion. When the water drops or deposits the sediment through the process of deposition, a delta forms.How? When a river empties into a larger body of water, it slows down. The sediment particles that are deposited settle to the bottom of the bed of the river over time forming the delta. Where does a delta form?Look at the diagram below, and use information from the article to explain how a delta is formed.Research to learn where another delta has been formed other than the one listed (from the Mississippi River.)