Erosion & Deposition | 3D Island Evolution

Explore erosion, deposition and landscape evolution with Island in a Million 3D, an interactive Earth science investigation for secondary school students.

Using a free online 3D simulation on the Dig Earth Studio website, students investigate how rainfall, rivers, waves, volcanic activity, vegetation, rock resistance and sea-level change reshape a volcanic island over one million years.

Students make predictions, run controlled experiments, collect numerical data and explain their findings using scientific evidence.

What’s included

Student Activity Pack (15 pages): Eight guided investigations, data tables, questions and a final scientific challenge.

Teacher Guide (10 pages): Learning objectives, simulation settings and teaching guidance.

Answer Key (11 pages): Reference results, worked calculations and scientific explanations.

All documents are supplied as printable PDFs in A4 and US Letter formats.

Topics covered

River erosion, sediment transport, deposition, coastal erosion, weathering, volcanic construction, vegetation, sea-level change and rock resistance.

The final challenge asks students to compare the effects of vegetation under calm and stormy wave conditions, using evidence from four simulation runs.

Classroom use

Suitable for KS4 / GCSE Geography, with some activities also appropriate for upper KS3.

Estimated duration: Two 45–60-minute lessons.

Students need an internet-connected computer capable of running the 3D simulation. No account or software installation is required.

The simulation is freely accessible online, with access instructions included in the pack.

This purchase includes the printable Student Activity Pack, Teacher Guide and Answer Key. The simulation is accessed separately online.