Rocks can move, break down, and wear away {gradational process} {erosion}|. Moving glaciers, flowing water, freezing, and thawing can cause erosion. Ocean waves cause erosion. Water movements and chemical reactions cause most erosion. Erosion is faster if water flows faster or contains more chemicals that react with minerals. Erosion also involves plants and plant roots. Sand blown by wind does little eroding.
shore
Ocean erodes centimeters from rocky shores {shore} each year. On deep and steep shores, ocean-wave erosion makes cliffs. On shallow gently sloping shores, ocean-wave erosion builds sandy beaches or sandbars.
Water can carve rock channels {fluvial landform}|.
Water can flow under surface {sapping} and cause ground erosion.
Large ice masses {glacier}| move 1 to 40 feet per day.
Glacier can have large deep crack {crevasse}|.
If glaciers reach sea, parts {iceberg}| can break off.
Ice-Age glaciers were one mile thick. When they receded and dried, wind blew fine dust {loess}| all over world.
Glacier front edge pushes up soil and rock ridge {moraine}|.
Glaciers can have vertical holes {moulin, hole}, caused by flowing water.
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Date Modified: 2022.0225