What is erosion?
Erosion is the removal and transport of rock or soil by water, wind, ice or gravity.
How it works and key principles
Processes and drivers: Rain runoff, rivers, coastal waves and wind move particles. Vegetation stabilizes soil; bare ground, slopes and intense rain can increase losses. Weathering breaks rock down in place, whereas erosion carries material away; the processes often act together.
Evidence, examples and limits
Consequences and mitigation: Erosion naturally shapes valleys and coasts, but accelerated loss can deplete fertile topsoil and load waterways with sediment. Ground cover, suitable farming and slope management reduce risks. Sediment transport is not always harmful; natural deltas depend on it.
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