Difference between Erosional and Depositional Landforms
Erosional and depositional landforms are created by natural processes involving the movement of earth materials by agents like water, ice, wind, and gravity. Here are some of the key differences between Erosional and Depositional Landforms tabulated below :
Erosional vs. Depositional Landforms (Running Water) |
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Feature |
Erosional Landforms |
Depositional Landforms |
Formation Process |
Formed by the removal or wearing away of earth materials by natural forces. |
Formed by the accumulation or deposition of earth materials carried by water, wind, ice, or gravity. |
Examples |
Canyons, valleys, gorges, mesas, mountain peaks, sea cliffs. |
Deltas, beaches, sand dunes, alluvial fans, moraines. |
Agents |
Water (rivers, waves), ice (glaciers), wind, and gravity (mass wasting). |
Water (rivers, lakes, seas), wind, ice (glaciers), gravity (sedimentation). |
Characteristics |
Often rugged, steep, and characterized by features showing evidence of removal of material. |
Generally flat, gentle sloping areas, characterized by features showing evidence of deposited material. |
Materials Involved |
Involves the movement and erosion of rock and soil. |
Involves the transportation and accumulation of sediments. |
Landform Features |
Cliffs, arches, valleys, and channels are common erosional features. |
Flood plains, deltas, sand bars, and beaches are common depositional features. |
Impact on Landscape |
Erosional landforms often expose underlying geology, leading to a varied and dramatic landscape. |
Depositional landforms tend to fill in valleys and other low-lying areas, smoothing out the landscape. |
Process Duration |
Erosion processes can be rapid or occur over millions of years, depending on the material and erosional agent. |
Deposition can occur quickly during events like floods, or gradually over thousands to millions of years. |
Erosional Landforms (Running water)| Class 11 Geography Notes
Erosional landforms created by running water are the result of water moving across the land, carving out valleys, shaping mountains, and creating a variety of other structures through processes of erosion and deposition. These landforms show us the path water takes as it travels over and through the earth.
This article will give you a detailed guide on Erosional landforms by running water, including their formation and the unique landscapes they create.
Table of Content
- Erosional Landforms of Running Water
- Valleys
- Potholes and Plunge Pools
- Incised or Entrenched Meanders
- River Terraces
- Difference between Erosional and Depositional Landforms