
Backyard Mountain Erosion
Easy
What happens to a pile of dirt left outside for several weeks? You build a small mound in your backyard and measure its height and width each week. Rain and wind slowly wear it down. After just two weeks, the mound can spread more than two inches and shrink about three inches. You record the changes in a chart and sketch the shape each week. The result shows how weathering and erosion reshape landforms over time.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the mountain of dirt will erode over time.
Method & Materials
You will make a mound of dirt in your backyard, measure it, and observe it over time.
You will need a measuring tape, a pencil, and paper.
Results
The experiment showed that the mountain of dirt eroded over time. The chunk of dirt at the top of the mountain remained in place.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it allows students to observe the effects of weathering on a mountain in their own backyard.
Also Consider
Variations to consider include adding different materials to the mountain, such as rocks or sand, or changing the size of the mountain.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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