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EARTH EXPEDITIONS / FIELD STATION 09

River Erosion Simulator

Explain how flow speed and slope change erosion and sediment transport.

YOUR FIELD PASSPORT0 / 12Junior explorer
RIVER ENGINEERPredict. Experiment. Collect evidence.+1 FIELD BADGE
3D field modelREADY TO EXPLORE
Drag to orbit · exaggerated visual scale
Flow velocity0.81 m/s
Bed shear7.85 Pa
Discharge12.1 m³/s
0%
● Blue: flowing water● Sand: moving● Gravel: moving
Time and visual scale are accelerated for exploration. Read the model assumptions below.
YOUR NEXT EXPEDITION

12 ways to explore a changing planet

Free online erosion simulator

River Erosion Simulator: experiment guide

This browser-based 3d simulation helps you explain how flow speed and slope change erosion and sediment transport. Designed for Grades 6–10, it turns an abstract idea into a model you can control, measure, reset, and test without signing up.

What you can investigate

Explore Flow speed, sediment, slope, erosion by changing the available controls and comparing the model’s visual and numerical evidence. Try one variable at a time, then combine changes to test a stronger explanation.

Flow speedsedimentslopeerosion

How to use this simulation

  1. 1Read the mission and make a prediction before moving a control.
  2. 2Change one variable so its effect is easier to identify.
  3. 3Run the model and record a value, pattern, or visible change.
  4. 4Reset, test a different setup, and explain the result from evidence.

For students, teachers, and independent study

A typical investigation takes 6–10 min. Use it as a lesson demonstration, a guided inquiry activity, a homework experiment, or a quick review. The simulation runs in a modern web browser and does not require an account.

Level
Beginner
Time
6–10 min
Format
3D simulation

Common questions

What does the River Erosion Simulator teach?

Explain how flow speed and slope change erosion and sediment transport. The main ideas are Flow speed, sediment, slope, erosion.

Is the River Erosion Simulator free to use?

Yes. You can run the simulation online for free without creating an account.

How long does the activity take?

Most learners can complete one investigation in 6–10 min. You can repeat it to compare more variables or improve your explanation.