Erosional Landforms

The following are subtopics of erosional landforms:

  • Abrasion
  • Aeolian landforms
  • Coastal landforms
  • Craters
  • Drainage Systems
  • Ephemeral landforms
  • Fluvial landforms
  • Glacial landforms
  • Karst landforms
  • Mass wasting
  • Pluvial landforms
  • Rills
  • Sedimentary landforms
  • Solutional landforms
  • Talus slopes
  • Terraces
  • Trenches
  • Volcanic Landforms
    Erosion is the process of moving rock, SoilSoil, or other materials from one place to another. It is caused by a variety of factors, including wind, water, ice, and gravity. Erosion can be a natural process, but it can also be accelerated by human activities, such as deforestation and agriculture.

There are many different types of erosional landforms, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most common types of erosional landforms include:

  • Abrasion: This is the process of wearing away rock or soil by friction. It is caused by the movement of wind, water, or ice over the surface of the Earth. Abrasion can create a variety of landforms, including cliffs, canyons, and potholes.
  • Aeolian landforms: These are landforms that are created by wind erosion. They include sand dunes, loess deposits, and yardangs.
  • Coastal landforms: These are landforms that are found along the coast. They include beaches, cliffs, and barrier islands.
  • Craters: These are bowl-shaped depressions in the Earth’s surface. They are formed by the impact of meteorites or volcanic eruptions.
  • Drainage systems: These are networks of channels that carry water away from the land. They include rivers, streams, and creeks.
  • Ephemeral landforms: These are landforms that are only present for a short period of time. They are often formed by water erosion, such as rills and gullies.
  • Fluvial landforms: These are landforms that are created by the flow of water. They include rivers, streams, and deltas.
  • Glacial landforms: These are landforms that are created by glaciers. They include moraines, eskers, and drumlins.
  • Karst landforms: These are landforms that are found in areas of limestone or dolomite. They are formed by the DissolutionDissolution of these rocks by water. Karst landforms include SinkholesSinkholes, caves, and poljes.
  • Mass wasting: This is the process of downslope movement of rock, soil, or other materials under the force of gravity. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.
  • Pluvial landforms: These are landforms that are created by the action of rain. They include gullies, rills, and potholes.
  • Rills: These are small channels that carry water away from the land. They are often formed by ephemeral runoff.
  • Sedimentary landforms: These are landforms that are created by the deposition of sediment. They include deltas, sand dunes, and loess deposits.
  • Solutional landforms: These are landforms that are created by the dissolution of rocks by water. They include sinkholes, caves, and poljes.
  • Talus slopes: These are slopes that are made up of loose rock debris. They are often found at the base of cliffs or mountains.
  • Terraces: These are flat or gently sloping surfaces that are found on hillsides. They are often created by human activities, such as agriculture or mining.
  • Trenches: These are long, narrow ditches that are dug in the ground. They are often used for drainage or irrigation.
  • Volcanic landforms: These are landforms that are created by volcanic activity. They include VolcanoesVolcanoes, craters, and lava flows.

Erosion is a natural process that has been shaping the Earth’s surface for millions of years. It is a powerful force that can create and destroy landforms. Erosion can also have a significant impact on human activities, such as agriculture, transportation, and InfrastructureInfrastructure.
Abrasion

Abrasion is the process of wearing away rock or other material by friction. It is caused by the movement of wind, water, or ice over the surface of the Earth. Abrasion can also be caused by the impact of rocks or other objects.

Aeolian landforms

Aeolian landforms are landforms that are created by the wind. They include sand dunes, loess deposits, and ventifacts.

Coastal landforms

Coastal landforms are landforms that are found along the coast. They include beaches, cliffs, and estuaries.

Craters

Craters are bowl-shaped depressions in the Earth’s surface. They can be caused by volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, or other geological processes.

Drainage systems

Drainage systems are networks of rivers, streams, and other watercourses that carry water away from the land.

Ephemeral landforms

Ephemeral landforms are landforms that are only present for a short period of time. They are often formed by water, such as rills and gullies.

Fluvial landforms

Fluvial landforms are landforms that are created by the flow of water. They include rivers, streams, lakes, and deltas.

Glacial landforms

Glacial landforms are landforms that are created by glaciers. They include moraines, eskers, and drumlins.

Karst landforms

Karst landforms are landforms that are created by the dissolution of limestone or other soluble rocks. They include sinkholes, caves, and poljes.

Mass wasting

Mass wasting is the downslope movement of soil, rock, and other material under the force of gravity. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including earthquakes, landslides, and floods.

Pluvial landforms

Pluvial landforms are landforms that are created by the action of rain. They include rills, gullies, and ephemeral streams.

Rills

Rills are small channels that are formed by the flow of water over the surface of the Earth. They are often the first stage in the development of a gully.

Sedimentary landforms

Sedimentary landforms are landforms that are created by the deposition of sediment. They include deltas, sand dunes, and loess deposits.

Solutional landforms

Solutional landforms are landforms that are created by the dissolution of rocks. They include sinkholes, caves, and poljes.

Talus slopes

Talus slopes are accumulations of loose rock fragments that have fallen from a cliff or other steep slope.

Terraces

Terraces are flat or gently sloping surfaces that are cut into the side of a hill or mountain. They are often created by the action of water or glaciers.

Trenches

Trenches are long, narrow ditches that are dug in the ground. They are often used for military purposes or for drainage.

Volcanic landforms

Volcanic landforms are landforms that are created by volcanic eruptions. They include volcanoes, cinder cones, and lava flows.
Question 1

Which of the following is not an erosional landform?

(A) Crater
(B) Drainage system
(CC) Ephemeral landform
(D) Volcanic landform

Answer
(D) Volcanic landforms are formed by the eruption of volcanoes, not by erosion.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a fluvial landform?

(A) Delta
(B) Estuary
(C) Fjord
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of fluvial landforms.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a glacial landform?

(A) Moraine
(B) Drumlin
(C) Esker
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of glacial landforms.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a karst landform?

(A) DolineDoline
(B) Uvala
(C) Polje
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of karst landforms.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a mass wasting landform?

(A) Landslide
(B) Mudslide
(C) Avalanche
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of mass wasting landforms.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a sedimentary landform?

(A) Delta
(B) Estuary
(C) Fjord
(D) All of the above

Answer
(A) Deltas are the only sedimentary landform listed.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a solutional landform?

(A) Cave
(B) Sinkhole
(C) Funnel cave
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of solutional landforms.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a talus slope?

(A) A pile of loose rocks at the base of a cliff
(B) A steep slope formed by the accumulation of talus
(C) A gently sloping surface formed by the accumulation of talus
(D) None of the above

Answer
(A) Talus slopes are piles of loose rocks at the base of a cliff.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a terrace?

(A) A flat, elevated landform along the side of a river
(B) A steep, elevated landform along the side of a river
(C) A gently sloping landform along the side of a river
(D) None of the above

Answer
(A) Terraces are flat, elevated landforms along the side of a river.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a trench?

(A) A long, narrow, deep depression in the Earth’s surface
(B) A wide, shallow depression in the Earth’s surface
(C) A gently sloping surface in the Earth’s surface
(D) None of the above

Answer
(A) Trenches are long, narrow, deep depressions in the Earth’s surface.