Here's how it works:
* Erosion: Wind, water, or ice break down larger rocks into smaller pieces, including sand.
* Transportation: These tiny pieces are carried away by the erosive forces.
* Deposition: As the erosive force slows down (e.g., the wind loses energy, the river slows down, or the glacier melts), gravity takes over. The heavier pieces settle first, followed by lighter ones. This process of settling is called deposition.
The location where the pieces are deposited depends on the forces at play.
* Rivers: Rivers deposit sediment along their banks, creating floodplains, or at their mouths, forming deltas.
* Wind: Wind carries sand and creates sand dunes.
* Glaciers: Glaciers deposit sediment as they melt, creating glacial moraines.
So, while erosion moves the sand, gravity is the force that ultimately determines where it comes to rest.
