Question
Describe the exogenetic processes active in producing landforms.
Answer
Exogenetic processes refer to the actions on the Earth’s surface that are due to external factors such as wind, water, ice, and gravity. These processes can create and shape various landforms over time.
- Erosion is one of the most significant exogenetic processes that involves the breakdown and removal of rock and soil by wind, water, and ice. This action can create a range of landforms, such as valleys, canyons, and gorges. Water erosion can create features such as waterfalls, rapids, and potholes.
- Transportation is the movement of eroded material by water, wind, or ice. The transportation process can involve rolling, sliding, and bouncing of rocks and sediments. Rivers transport material downstream, glaciers transport rocks and boulders, and wind transport sand and dust.
- Deposition is the process of laying down eroded material in a new location. It is the final stage of the exogenetic process. Deposition can occur in the form of alluvial fans, deltas, sand dunes, and glacial moraines. The deposition of sediments can also create new landforms such as sandbars and barrier islands.
