Erosion
Geography: KS3, topic 9.1.2
Processes of Erosion
Erosion is the wearing away of rock using movement. The sea can build up a lot of energy and move quickly with a lot of force. This can make erosion happen faster. The types of erosion that affect coasts are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Erosion
What are the processes of erosion that affect coastal landscapes?
Which process of erosion involves pieces of bedload hitting into one another?
Which process of erosion involves pieces of materials being picked up by waves and hit against the sea bed or cliffsides?