Explain processes of erosion that occur in a river

The first erosional process that occurs in a river is hydralic action, which is where water is forced into cracks in the river bed and channel which compresses trapped air, making the cracks larger which can cause material to chip away and fall off. The next type is abrasion, which occurs when rocks and bedload is carried by the river and wears down the river channel. Attrition is the process of the river bedload smashing into one another which wears down the bedload into smaller pieces. Corrosion is the process of soluable particles in the river being dissolved by acicid substances. 

OS
Answered by Olivia S. Geography tutor

3831 Views

See similar Geography GCSE tutors

Related Geography GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What factors affect the social and economic impacts of an earthquake?


How do waterfalls form?


How would I go about answering a nine mark question like the one below? Name an earth hazard event in an MEDC. Describe the methods used to reduce the impact of the earth hazard and assess how successful these methods were.


What is more important in reducing the impact of Earthquakes, Prediction or Mitigation?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning