soil analysis

Detachment The Erosion Sequence * Traction is the movement of particles by rolling, sliding, and shuffling along the eroded surface. This occurs in all erosional mediums. * Abrasion: the excavation of surface particles by material carried by the erosion agent. The effectiveness of this process is related to the velocity of the moving particles, their mass, and their concentration at the eroding surface. Abrasion is very active in glaciers where the particles are firmly held by ice. Abrasion can also occur from the particles held in the erosional mediums of wind and water. The Erosion Sequence * Suspension is where the particles are carried by the medium without touching the surface of their origin. This can occur in air, water, and ice. Transport Entrainment Forces * Suspension is where the particles are carried by the medium without touching the surface of their origin. This can occur in air, water, and ice.

The Erosion Sequence * Traction is the movement of particles by rolling, sliding, and shuffling along the eroded surface. This occurs in all erosional mediums. Particle weight, size, shape, surface configuration, and medium type are the main factors that determine which of these processes operate. The energy for erosion comes from several sources. Mountain building creates a disequilibrium within the Earth's landscape because of the creation of relief. Gravity acts to vertically move materials of higher relief to lower elevations to produce an equilibrium. Gravity also acts on the mediums of erosion to cause them to flow to base level. * Raindrop impact: the force of a raindrop falling onto a soil or weathered rock surface is often sufficient to break weaker particle bonds. The amount of force exerted by a raindrop is a function of the terminal velocity and mass of the raindrop.