During the nitrogen cycle, through which structure are nitrogen compounds first absorb into the plant? and deposition work together to create a moraine? Waves cause erosion along coastlines and deposit sand away from the shore. Surface water in rivers causes erosion, carrying sediment that gets deposited near an ocean. Glaciers cause erosion as they melt, carrying sediment that gets deposited in a thick layer. Winds cause erosion by blowing around sand that gets deposited in large piles.