Here's a breakdown:
* Weathering: This is the process where rocks, soil, and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces. It can happen through:
* Physical weathering: Things like freezing/thawing, wind, and rain breaking down rocks.
* Chemical weathering: Acid rain or chemical reactions dissolving rocks.
* Biological weathering: Plants and animals breaking down rocks.
* Erosion: Once the material is weathered, it can be picked up and transported by natural forces, including:
* Water: Rain, rivers, oceans, and waves all carry away weathered material.
* Wind: Wind can carry sand and dust over long distances.
* Ice: Glaciers and ice sheets carve out valleys and transport large amounts of rock and soil.
* Gravity: Landslides and rockfalls move material downhill.
In short, erosion is the process of moving weathered material from one location to another, and the main cause of this movement is natural forces like water, wind, and ice.