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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Landforms & Surface Processes

Erosion

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

/ɪˈroʊʒən/nounCore term

In geology & earth sciences, erosion means: The removal of soil and rock fragments from one place and their transport to another by water, wind, ice or gravity.

In Turkish: erozyon, aşınım, aşınma

How it is used

Often used with the agent that causes it: river erosion, wind erosion, coastal erosion, soil erosion. The verb is erode and the adjective erosional. Common phrases: prevent erosion, cause erosion, be exposed by erosion.

Example sentences

  1. Soil erosion is a serious problem on steep, bare slopes.

  2. Millions of years of erosion have exposed the granite at the heart of the mountain.

Common collocations

  • soil erosion
  • coastal erosion
  • wind erosion
  • rate of erosion
  • prevent erosion
  • weatheringThe breaking down of rock at or near the Earth's surface by physical, chemical or biological processes, without the pieces being carried away.
  • sedimentLoose particles such as sand, mud, gravel, shells or plant matter that are carried by water, wind or ice and settle in a new place.
  • depositionThe process by which sediment carried by water, wind or ice is dropped and builds up, for example when a river slows down.
  • wear awayTo make something gradually thinner, smaller or smoother by rubbing, flowing water or wind, or to become thinner in this way.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Landforms & Surface Processes

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