Abrasion (geology)

Abrasion (geology)

Abrasion is mechanical scraping of a rock surface by friction between rocks and moving particles during their transport in wind, glacier, waves, gravity or running water, after friction, the moving particles dislodge loose and weak debris from the side of the rock, these particles can be dissolved in the water source.

The intensity of abrasion depends on the hardness, concentration, velocity and mass of moving particles.

Abrasion by a glacier

A glacier can "carve" a valley, cirque, or a tarn (glacial lake), by eroding rocks and soil and plucking them up. The rocks the glacier collects by plucking is then used as a tool to scrape even more debris from its environment. These glacial processes are very significant to the landscaping and erosion of earth, especially during the glacial periods.

Abrasion platform

A virtually smooth marine platform cut by the ocean waves at a coastline. If it is currently being fashioned it will be exposed only at low tide, but there is a possibility that the "wave-cut platform" will be hidden sporadically by a mantle of beach shingle, which is the abrading agent. If the platform is permanently exposed above high-water mark it is probably a raised-beach platform.


ee also

*Erosion
*glacial striation
*sedimentary


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