Silt facts for kids
Silt is a type of soil or rock made of very tiny pieces of material. It's like a fine powder that can be found in many places around the world.
What is Silt Made Of?
Silt particles are very small, but not as small as clay particles. They are larger than clay but smaller than sand. Imagine tiny grains, each one between about 1/256th and 1/16th of a millimeter wide. That's super tiny! Unlike clay, silt grains are usually about the same size in every direction, making them more like tiny, round bits.
Where Can You Find Silt?
Silt can be found in many different places:
- In soil: It's a common part of the ground we walk on.
- In water: Silt can float in water, making it look cloudy. This is called "suspended sediment".
- At the bottom of lakes and rivers: When water slows down, silt settles to the bottom, forming layers of mud.
- Carried by wind: Silt is so light that wind can pick it up and carry it long distances. When a lot of wind-blown silt builds up, it forms thick deposits called loess.
Silt is easily moved by water and wind. When there's a lot of silt or clay in water, it can make the water cloudy or murky. This cloudiness is called turbidity.
Images for kids
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Wind-blown silt in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
See also
In Spanish: Limo para niños
