What is erosion?

AS A RIVER FLOWS, THE FORCE OF ITS

MOVING WATER WASHES AWAY LOOSE

SOIL & PIECES OF ROCKS. IN THIS WAY

THE RIVER CUTS ITS OWN CHANNEL IN

THE GROUND. THIS PROCESS IS CALLED EROSION

Types of erosion
• HYDRAULIC ACTION
• ABRASION
• ATTRITION
• SOLUTION
Hydraulic action
• The work of turbulence in the water.
• Running water causes friction in the
joints of rocks in a stream channel
• Joints may be enlarged
• Loosened fragments of rocks get
swept away.
• This type of erosion is strongest at
rapids and waterfalls where the
water has high velocity.
Abrasion
• Load carried by a river will grind
against its bed and sides.
• This process slowly wears the
bed and sides away.
Attrition
• When thrown against the
sides and bed of rivers,
the load gets broken into
smaller pieces.
Solution
• Certain minerals in rocks like limestone can be dissolved in water.
• Rocks are then eroded.
Lateral and vertical erosion
• Making the channel wider and deeper.