Book 30, Question 21 · Video
Do lakes ever disappear?
Yes, but slowly. Rivers bring mud and sand into lakes, and plants and fallen leaves pile up on the bottom. Over thousands of years the lake gets shallower. Reeds and bog plants creep in from the edges and fill it, turning the lake into a marsh and then a meadow. Some lakes disappear when the climate becomes drier. Small ponds can fill in within a few decades.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Do lakes ever disappear?
The Big Idea
Lakes seem like they'd last forever! But do they ever disappear? Let's see.
Filling Up
Step one: Filling Up. Rivers bring mud and sand into lakes, and plants and fallen leaves pile up on the bottom. Over thousands of years, the lake gets shallower.
Plants Move In
Step two: Plants Move In. Reeds and bog plants creep in from the edges and fill it in. The lake becomes a marsh, and then a meadow.
Faster Changes
Step three: Faster Changes. Some lakes disappear when the climate becomes drier and more water evaporates than flows in. Small ponds can fill in within just a few decades.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Starts deep. Fills it. Plants move in. Dry land.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! This slow filling-in is called succession. Takes thousands of years. Marsh then meadow. Ponds fill faster.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Fill a jar with water. Add a layer of sand. Add a layer of mud. Drop in some leaves. Watch how the bottom rises!
Outro
Lakes slowly disappear as rivers bring mud and sand and leaves pile up, making them shallower over thousands of years. Reeds and bog plants creep in, turning the lake into a marsh and then a meadow, a process called succession. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!