The river erodes the landscape using many processes.
1. Hydraulic action
- The fast-moving water breaks and wears away material from the bed and banks of the river. This process is known as hydraulic action.
2. Abrasion
- The broken material that is now carried along by the river is called its load. The load is thrown against the bed and banks of the river and wears them down. This process is known as Abrasion.
3. Solution
- The water dissolves some of the minerals on the river bed and banks. This process is known as Solution.
4. Attrition
- The load itself is broken down further as particles bounce off one another and become smooth and round. This process is known as attrition.