Imagine that a river is rushing down a valley. As it moves, it rushes over a rock on the side of the river, causing
some sediments from the rock to break free. Then, it carries those sediments away, where they are eventually
dropped onto the shore. When do erosion, weathering, and deposition take place in this scenario? Explain.

In this scenario, weathering occurs first when the rushing river erodes the rock, breaking down its surface through processes like abrasion and freeze-thaw cycles. This leads to the release of sediments from the rock into the water, marking the beginning of the cycle. Next comes erosion, where the river continues to carry these sediments downstream, transporting them along its current. Finally, deposition takes place when the river slows down and deposits the sediments onto the shore, creating new landforms and altering the landscape.

This interaction between water, rocks, and sediment is a prime example of nature’s relentless cycle of change. When the river swells during a rainy season, it intensifies each step—weathering speeds up as more rock gets exposed, erosion becomes more aggressive, and the deposition areas shift, all reshaping the environment dramatically. This cycle plays a crucial role in creating diverse ecosystems and landscapes, showing the interconnectedness of geological processes.