The word ‘Erosion’ is made from the Latin word ‘Erodere’, the meaning of which is to rub or to nibble. Erosion is a dynamic process. In this process, the rocks keep on disintegrating by being rubbed, eroded, translocated or transported through glaciers, underground water, sea waves, wind and rivers. By this process, a high terrain eventually transforms into a low terrain.
The following modes are held responsible for the process of erosion:
1. Corrasion
2. Attrition
3. Hydraulic Action
4. Corrosion
5. Deflation
6. Cavitation
7. Plucking
1. Corrasion: When the erosion factors carry away rocks-debris and rocks – flour in their flow, then these materials cause the friction of surface rocks, which is called Corrasion.
2. Attrition: The rock fragments or particles when carried by the air, water and glacier smash together and break into smaller particles, this is called Attrition.
3. Hydraulic Action: The process of erosion of rocks by the heavy pressure of river water or whirlpool is called Hydraulic Action.
4. Corrosion: By the chemical action of water, the minerals of rocks dissolve in water and flow away, which is called Corrosion.
5. Deflation: The sand, dust and or other unorganized rocks – flour are carried away by the winds from one place to another place, which is called deflation.
6. Cavitation: Waves rising from whirlpool in river form many types of holes at the bottom of the river, which is called Cavitation. Pot holes and plunge pools are examples of such holes.
7. Plucking: When glaciers uproot the rocks coming in their way and transport them along, then this action is called Plucking.
The eroded materials usually flow in the three forms:
(a) Dissolving: Various materials dissolve in water and flow along with it.
(b) Suspension: Materials float or hang along with erosive factors (water or wind) and flow along.
(c) Sliding: Large masses of rocks drag or slide and flow on the surface of the river, which is known as sliding.
