Agents of Erosion and Mass Movement

Erosion Agent What Happens? Particle Size Velocity Landforms and

Examples









Water
Rill
Erosion
Shallow drainage
lines



30 cm deep Depends on the
volume and speed of
the surface water
and other factors
Common in
agricultural land.
Where soil has been
loosened.
Gully
Erosion
When smaller
water flows cut a
channel through
the soil.

Deeper than 30
cm deep.
Gradual Collapse and
slumping of side
walls
Sheet
Erosion
Removal of soil in
thin layers by rain
drop impact and
shallow surface
flow.
soil gradual Large soil losses,
visible grass roots,/
tree roots, etc.
Splash
Erosion
When raindrops
hit bare soil. Soil
particles are
splashed.
Soil particles. Can rise as high as
60cm above the
ground and 1.5
meters from the
point of impacts.
Soil forms a crust
that reduces
infiltration and
increases runoff.



Glacial





When water
from a glacier
freezes around
cracks of rock.






Gradual. Eventually the rock
will break away.



Wind




Detachment and
movement of
soil particles by
moving air






varies 20km per hour. Atmosphere haze.