Geography: Agents and Processes of Erosion

The process where rock fragments and particles carried by glaciers, waves, or wind scrape against bedrock, smoothing its surface. It's like using sandpaper to polish wood.

The breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces when they collide with each other during transport by wind, waves, or rivers.

The process where certain types of rocks, like limestone and chalk, dissolve in acidic water, leaving behind a smooth, eroded surface. It's like sugar dissolving in water.

When wind removes loose particles from the surface of the ground, creating small depressions or hollows.

A process where riverbed sediments are trapped in swirling water, creating a deepening and widening of the riverbed at a specific point. It's like a whirlpool digging a hole.

Erosion caused by wind, where the wind rubs against rocks, causing them to break down into smaller fragments. It's like sandpaper wearing down a material.

Erosion caused by waves crashing against rocks, where the force of the waves breaks down the rocks.

Erosion caused by moving water in rivers, where the water carries sediments that scrape against the riverbed, causing it to wear down.

The process by which a river deepens its channel by removing material from the stream bed or valley floor due to the erosive force of water.

The backward erosion of a river in its source region, caused by the collapse of soil or gravel due to steep slopes.

The erosion that occurs on the sides of valleys by a river or glacier, widening the valley. It is most prominent when the rate of downcutting decreases.

The movement of large rocks and boulders along the riverbed by the force of water.

The process by which pebbles, gravel, and coarse sand are bounced along the riverbed by the force of water.

The transportation of fine, light material suspended in water or air.

The process of dissolving soluble material like limestone and carrying it in a dissolved state in water.

Deposition occurs when the velocity of the transporting agent (like a river or wind) decreases, causing the carrying capacity to decrease and resulting in the deposition of sediments.

A deep, narrow valley with steep sides, often formed by the erosive power of a river.

A very large, deep gorge, often with steep, almost vertical walls.

A flat, fertile area of land along a river, formed by the deposition of sediments.

A long, narrow, smooth, and elongated hill, sculpted by glacial erosion.

A valley with steep sides that resembles the letter 'V' in shape, formed by river erosion.

A section of a river where the water flows rapidly over rocks or a steep incline.

A place where a river plunges over a vertical drop, creating a cascade of water.

A type of topography formed when soluble rocks like limestone or dolomite are eroded by acidic rainwater, creating unique features like caves, sinkholes, and underground drainage systems.

A landform created at a river mouth where the river deposits sediments as it slows down.

A place where a river enters the sea, but without a delta. The river's sediments are not as substantial, and the sea is often deeper making it difficult for sediment to build up.

The process by which waves wear down rocks and land. This is a major force in shaping coastlines.

A coastal landform formed when waves undercut softer rock, creating a hollow space. Eventually, this space can become a large opening in the cliff.

A coastal landform where rock is eroded away by waves, forming a steep, vertical drop.

A portion of land that extends out into the sea. It's usually formed by resistant rock and marks a change in the coastline.

The area along the coast where sand and other sediments accumulate. One of the most common coastal landforms.

The concave part of the coastline between two headlands. Eroded material from the headlands is often deposited here.

Smooth, wind-shaped rocks that are eroded by wind-blown sand, typically found in desert environments.

Elongated, wind-eroded ridges created in areas where softer rocks are eroded faster than hard rocks.

Crescent-shaped sand dunes formed by wind blowing sand in one direction, with a gentle slope facing the wind and a steep slope on the opposite side.

Long, linear sand dunes aligned parallel to the dominant wind direction, typically found in deserts.

Fine-grained, wind-deposited sediment that forms vast plains.

A landform created when waves erode a layer of soft rock underneath a layer of hard rock, forming an arch-like opening.

A tall, isolated rock formation that often results when a sea arch collapses.

A smooth, flat surface at the base of a cliff, created by wave erosion.

A narrow, elongated ridge of sand extending out from the shore, often formed by the deposition of sand by longshore currents.

A long stretch of sand along the coast, formed by the deposition of sediments by waves.

A bank of sand submerged at high tide but exposed at low tide, often found in shallow waters.

A body of water separated from the sea by sand bars or spits, often containing a mix of freshwater and saltwater.

The constant erosion and deposition processes by sea waves, creating features like beaches, sand bars, and cliffs.