how does a river erode

Gravity causes the water to flow from higher to lower ground. … Much of the material eroded by runoff is carried into bodies of water, such as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or oceans. Runoff is an important cause of erosion. That’s because it occurs over so much of Earth’s surface.

What are the four ways a river erodes?

Erosion There are four ways that a river erodes; hydraulic action, corrosion, corrosion and attrition. Hydraulic action – the force of the water wearing away the bed and bank of the river • Corrosion – the chemical reaction between the water and the bed and bank of the river, wearing it away.

How does a river erode GCSE?

The four main forms of river erosion

The pressure weakens the banks and gradually wears it away. Abrasion – rocks carried along by the river wear down the river bed and banks. Attrition – rocks being carried by the river smash together and break into smaller, smoother and rounder particles.

How do rivers erode rock?

Abrasion occurs as sediment in a stream collides with rock in and along the stream. … The bedrock beneath streams is also eroded by abrasion. Sediment flowing in the water can cut deeply into the bedrock. Over a long time, stream abrasion can cause great changes in the shape of a stream or river and Earth’s surface.

Where does a river mainly erodes?

It is most common in the upper course of the river. The energy that is left after overcoming friction leads to the channel getting deeper. Lateral erosion erodes the banks of the river. This is more common in the middle and lower courses of a river.

Where do rivers erode?

Streams erode the land as they move from higher elevations to the sea. Eroded materials can be carried in a river as dissolved load, suspended load, or bed load. A river erodes deeply when it is far from its base level, the place where it enters standing water. Streams form bends, called meanders.

How does abrasion occur?

Rocks break down into smaller pieces through weathering. Rocks and sediment grinding against each other wear away surfaces. This type of weathering is called abrasion, and it happens as wind and water rush over rocks. The rocks become smoother as rough and jagged edges break off.

What are the 4 erosional processes?

Destructive waves erode through four main processes; Hydraulic Action, Compression, Abrasion and Attrition.

What is plucking in geography?

Plucking occurs when rocks and stones become frozen to the base or sides of the glacier and are plucked from the ground or rock face as the glacier moves. This leaves behind a jagged landscape. … This causes the wearing away of the landscape as the glacier behaves like sandpaper.

What is abrasion BBC Bitesize?

Abrasion – this is when pebbles grind along a rock platform, much like sandpaper. Over time the rock becomes smooth. Attrition – this is when rocks that the sea is carrying knock against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded.

How are bends in a meandering river created?