Erosion and Transportation Processes

Hydraulic Action

Physical force of water to push into cracks and erode rocks, largely along banks and in upper course(more vertical erosion)

Abrasion/Corrasion

Larger rocks grinding against river bed/other rocks, largely upper-middle course

Attrition

Load grinding against itself to become rounded and smaller, largely middle course

Solution/Corrosion(Erosion)

Minerals carried in solution, e.g. salt and gypsum, all courses

Vertical Erosion

Cutting down, largely upper-middle course

Lateral Erosion

Cutting out to form floodplains, undercuts banks and cliffs, largely middle-lower course

Solution(Transportation)

Dissolved load, small particles like salt dissolved into water

Suspension

Small particles like silt held in suspension

Saltation

Medium particles like gravel being bounced along the bed of the river

Traction

Larger pebbles/rocks being rolled along the bed