Mountain Building

1
Mountain Building

• The study of erosion and its effects on mountains
• Bridget Kelly, Maura Shanahan, Samantha Sippel

2
What is Erosion?

• Erosion is the process by which sediment is
  removed from its place of origin.
• Sediment can be removed by running water, winds
  or glaciers
• A muddy river is an indication that sediment is
  being transferred by water
• A cloud of dust is a sign that sediment is being
  transported by wind
• http//www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/erosio
  n/

3
Erosion of Mountains

• .1 to .2 mm/year is a reasonable average rate of
  erosion in mountains
• Isostatic compensation- The process in which
  lateral transport at the surface of the earth by
  erosion or deposition is compensated by lateral
  movements in a subcrustal layer
• Causes the crust to rise when material is eroded
• Causes the crust to sink when material is added

4
Erosion of Mountains

• Erosion of mountains may cause the elevation of
  the highest peaks to increase
• Erosion of the Himalayas removed carbon dioxide
  from the atmosphere and lowered global
  temperatures

5
Erosion in Ohio

• Each year an estimated average of 1.8 tons of
  soil erodes from 1 acre of Ohio Rural Lands
• With over 22 million rural acres in Ohio this
  amounts to over 40 million tons of soil erosion
  and costs close to 40 million per year
• This erosion occurs both naturally and from human
  sources
• Natural erosion occurs because of flooding or the
  washing out of stream banks
• Human sources include constructing roads and
  buildings and tilling cropland