Rocks can be worn down by abrasion through several processes. Here are three different ways:
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Water Flows (River Erosion): As water flows over rocks in rivers or streams, it carries sediments, pebbles, and other materials that can scrape and grind against the rock surfaces. This process gradually wears down the rocks, smoothing their edges and creating rounded forms over time.
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Wind Erosion (Aeolian Processes): In arid environments, wind can lift and transport fine particles of sand and dust. As these particles collide with rock surfaces, they cause abrasion, effectively chiseling away at the rocks and creating unique formations, such as sandstone arches or hoodoos.
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Glacial Movement: Glaciers are massive bodies of ice that move slowly over land. As glaciers advance, they carry with them rocks, gravel, and other debris embedded in the ice. The weight and movement of the glacier exert pressure on the underlying rocks, and the embedded materials scrape against the bedrock, causing significant erosion and shaping the landscape.
These processes contribute to the continuous cycle of rock formation and erosion, shaping the Earth's surface over geological time scales.