which formation moves sediment and erodes rock?

Social Studies · High School · Sun Jan 24 2021

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The formation that moves sediment and erodes rock is primarily known as a river or a stream. When water flows over the Earth's surface, it has the ability to pick up and transport sediment, which includes sand, silt, and clay particles, along with larger rocks and debris. This process is called erosion.

Erosion by rivers and streams occurs in several ways. First, as the water moves, it can mechanically wear away rock through the force of the moving water itself, which is known as hydraulic action. Second, as sediment is carried by the water, these particles can act like tools, scraping and grinding against the bed and banks of the river, which is known as abrasion. Third, chemicals in the water can dissolve certain types of rock, particularly limestone, in a process called chemical erosion or corrosion.

The combination of these processes can lead to significant alterations in the landscape over time, such as the creation of valleys, canyons, and deltas.

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