Erosion and Transport

Erosion

Erosion is the process by which soil and rock particles are worn away and moved elsewhere by gravity, or by a moving transport agent – wind, water or ice.

Transport refers to the processes by which the sediment is moved along – for example, pebbles rolled along a river-bed or sea shore, sand grains whipped up by the wind, salts carried in solution.

How is erosion different to weathering?

Erosion involves removal of solid material by a transporting agent. Weathering is the breakdown of rock into fragments at the Earth’s surface. No movement is involved in weathering.