GEOMORPHOLOGY TERMS

PRERNA FOR IAS

GEOMORPHOLOGY TERMS

1. Weathering

Weathering is the process by which rocks break down into smaller fragments at or near the Earth’s surface without being transported. It occurs due to physical, chemical, and biological factors such as temperature changes, water, air, plant roots, and microorganisms. Physical weathering breaks rocks mechanically, while chemical weathering alters their mineral composition. Biological weathering results from the activities of living organisms. Weathering is an important geomorphic process because it produces soil and provides materials for erosion and deposition. It gradually weakens rocks and prepares them for transportation by natural agents like rivers, wind, glaciers, and ocean waves.

2. Erosion

Erosion is the process of removing and transporting weathered rock, soil, and sediments from one place to another. Natural agents such as running water, wind, glaciers, and sea waves carry away these materials. Erosion continuously reshapes the Earth’s surface by wearing down mountains, cliffs, and other landforms. River erosion creates valleys and canyons, while wind erosion forms desert features. Excessive erosion may reduce soil fertility and affect agriculture. Erosion works closely with weathering and deposition in the geomorphic cycle. It plays a major role in landscape evolution and the formation of diverse landforms across the world.

3. Deposition

Deposition is the process by which transported sediments settle and accumulate in a new location. When agents such as rivers, wind, glaciers, or waves lose energy, they can no longer carry their sediment load, causing materials to be deposited. Deposition creates many landforms, including deltas, floodplains, beaches, sand dunes, and moraines. It is the constructive counterpart of erosion and contributes to the development of fertile soils and coastal features. The size and type of deposited materials depend on the transporting agent and environmental conditions. Deposition plays a vital role in shaping landscapes and building new landforms.

4. Denudation

Denudation refers to the overall process of wearing away and lowering the Earth’s surface through weathering, erosion, transportation, and mass wasting. It gradually reduces elevated landforms such as mountains and plateaus over geological time. Denudation is driven by natural forces including water, wind, ice, gravity, and temperature variations. It plays a key role in the geomorphic cycle by balancing uplift and erosion processes. Through denudation, landscapes become smoother and more stable. This process is responsible for the long-term evolution of landforms and contributes to the continuous reshaping of the Earth’s surface.

5. Mass Wasting