8.1.3

Erosion

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Processes of Erosion

Erosion is the wearing away of rock using movement. This can make erosion happen faster. There are 4 types of erosion:

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Hydraulic action

  • Hydraulic action is where the force of the water hits against the river or sea bed and banks and causes the rock to break off.
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Solution

  • Solution is where soluble rocks are dissolved by the water in the river or sea (limestone and chalk in particular). They are carried along with the river or sea.
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Abrasion

  • Abrasion is where pieces of rock are picked up by the river or sea water and hit against the bed or the banks. This wears them away.
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Attrition

  • Attrition is where pieces of bedload (material carried by a river or seawater) are hit against one another. This causes them to break apart and become smaller and more rounded.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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