Earth’s weather and water cycles mean that the planet’s land surface is constantly changing. When water or wind flows across a landform, soil and rock break down via the process of erosion. When particles of material are suspended in water, they can be carried across large distances before settling into landforms in a process known as sedimentation. 

Sometimes, the effects of erosion and sedimentation can be positive, with sediment flows transporting nutrients that benefit agriculture. However, excess erosion or sedimentation can also strip nutrients from soil, clog waterways, and disrupt ecosystems. Human activities such as deforestation and urban development can loosen sediment and increase the likelihood of sediment transportation. 

NASA’s Earth-observing satellites capture sediment plumes, track weather events that can fuel erosion and sedimentation processes, and help create topographic maps of how land shifts over time. These data help researchers find solutions for improved agriculture production, ecosystem management, and flood prevention.