how does ground water cause erosion and deposition?
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https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geophysical/chapter/ground-water-erosion-and-deposition/
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Groundwater can play a significant role in both erosion and deposition processes. When it comes to erosion, groundwater can dissolve minerals from rocks and carry them away, weakening the rock structure. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how groundwater causes erosion and deposition:
1. Percolation: As rainwater infiltrates the ground, it seeps deep into the soil and fills up spaces or fractures in rocks. This accumulated water is called groundwater.
2. Dissolution: Groundwater typically contains a small amount of dissolved minerals. When it comes into contact with certain types of rocks, such as limestone or gypsum, the water can chemically react with the minerals and dissolve them. Over time, this dissolving process weakens the rock.
3. Piping: As groundwater flows through rock layers, it can create underground channels and tunnels. This phenomenon is known as piping. If the channels become sufficiently large, they can cause the overlying land to collapse, resulting in the formation of sinkholes.
4. Erosion by Abrasion: Groundwater can also contribute to the physical erosion of rocks. As the water flows through narrow openings or along rock surfaces, it exerts pressure and carries small particles. This process, known as abrasion, can gradually wear away the rock surface.
5. Deposition: While groundwater erodes rocks, it also has the capacity to deposit sediments. When the flow of groundwater slows down, like when it reaches a lake or a river, it loses its carrying capacity, and the sediment it was transporting gets deposited. This deposition can contribute to the formation of alluvial fans, deltas, or sediment layers in lakes.
In summary, groundwater causes erosion mainly through chemical dissolution and physical abrasion. Simultaneously, it can deposit sediments when it loses its ability to transport them, leading to the formation of new landforms.