Soil erosion is the washing or blowing away by water or wind of the top of the layer of soil. This is a serious problem for farmers. If the soil has eroded, the crops that make food will not grow very well.The loss of soil from farmland may be reflected in reduced crop production potential, lower surface water quality and damaged drainage networks. Also, This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice (glaciers), snow, air (wind), plants, animals, and humans.
Most of the changes in rock are caused by weathering and erosion. The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock. Igneous rock forms when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid made of melted minerals. The minerals can form crystals when they cool. Igneous rock can form underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or, igneous rock can form above ground, where the magma cools.
Frost wedging occurs when liquid water flows into rock cracks and crevices and then expands upon freezing. The wedging creates a deeper or larger crack which can then be further expanded by additional frost wedging. Additionally, the frost wedging creates additional rock surface which can then be attacked by chemical weathering, mainly by the natural acidity of rainwater.
Temperature also known as Thermal stress. Thermal stress weathering happens because of expansion or contraction of rock, caused by temperature changes. Thermal stress weathering is an important system in deserts, where there is a large day temperature range, hot in the day and cold at night. The repeated heating and cooling applies stress on the outer layers of rocks, which can cause their outer layers to peel off in thin sheets. Water also known as Freeze-Thaw Weathering . Freeze-Thaw weathering is when water from rainfall or melting snow and ice becomes trapped in a crack or joint in the rock. If the air temperature drops below freezing, the water will freeze and expand by 910% putting pressure on the rock. When the temperature rises above freezing the ice will melt. If this process happens repeatedly, the rock will weaken and eventually shatter into sharp fragments.
Causes : gravity, rain, flooding, wind, drought, deforestation, farming, flowing ice, the loss of vegetation after a major forest fire, uncontrolled land use, and poor agricultural and forestry practices Effects : desertification, additional sedimentation, loss of habitat, infertile soils, increased use of soil conditioners and fertilizers, water pollution.
Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all land forms. In agriculture, soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field's topsoil by the natural physical forces of water and wind or through forces associated with family activities such as tillage.