Erosion is a natural process that plays a crucial role in the rock cycle. It refers to the wearing away and transportation of soil and rock particles from one location to another, typically caused by wind, water, ice, or other natural agents.
In the context of the rock cycle, erosion contributes to the breakdown of rocks. When rocks are exposed to the elements, they begin to weather, which means they break down into smaller particles. These particles are then transported by erosion processes, such as rivers carrying sediment downstream or wind transporting sand across a desert.
Once the material is eroded, it can settle in new locations, contributing to the formation of sedimentary rocks through processes like compaction and cementation. This cycle of weathering, erosion, and deposition continually reshapes the Earth’s landscape and is essential to the recycling of materials within the rock cycle.