Erosion Effectiveness and Geological Processes

Factors Determining Erosion Effectiveness

The energy of a geological agent: A great river with steep and erosive capacity has more than one of lower flow and calmer course. A large glacier erodes more than a smaller one.

The strength of rocks: Some rocks such as clay, limestone, and sandstone are easily eroded, while granite and gneiss are hard rocks where erosion progresses slowly.

Related Geological Agents

Wild Water

• Water with no fixed course, from rains.

Rivers

• Permanent water courses.

Torrents

• Located in mountains, always with water.

Glaciers

• Rivers of ice in polar regions or high mountains.

Landform Examples

• Wild-water gully
• River valley in V
• Valley glacier-torrents
• Sea cliff
• Glacier valley

River Characteristics

Upper Course

• Runs through high mountain areas.

Middle Course

• Usually meanders.

Lower Course

• Ends at the mouth.

River Processes

Start: Rock fragments

Pass: Throat

Floating: Materials (heavier below lighter)

Delta: Deposits of clay and sand

Sea Water Movement

• Waves: Surface movements due to wind.
• Tides: Promotion and relegation from the sea every six hours.
• Currents: Movements of water into the mass of the sea.

In Spain, tides are more significant on the Cantabrian coast than the Mediterranean coast. This is due to the alignment of the Moon with the Sun.

Coastal Landforms

• Albufera
• Cliff
• Beach
• Cordon littoral

Landform Formation

• Wild water gully and fairy chimneys
• Meander river, trough valleys, and gorges
• Wild water aquifers and caves
• Glaciers, valleys, glaciers, and steep relief
• Sea cliff and beach
• Wind, dunes, and ergs

Formation Processes

Gully

• Formed by the erosive action of wild waters.

Stalactites and Stalagmites

• Formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate groundwater.

Meanders

• Formed by the action of rivers.

Ergs

• Formed by the action of wind.

Plants and animals contribute to the disintegration of rocks through biological weathering, for example, the roots of plants.

Transport in suspension is a way for agents to carry geological clasts without touching the ground.