Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What process refers to the movement of fragmented rock by forces like wind or water?

1. Weathering

2. Erosion

3. Subduction

4. Transportation

The correct answer is: Erosion

The correct answer is erosion. Erosion refers specifically to the processes that move fragmented rock and soil from one location to another, typically through natural forces such as wind, water, ice, or gravity. During erosion, particles are dislodged and carried away from their original site, contributing to the reshaping of landscapes and influencing sediment distribution. Weathering, while relative and important to the overall rock cycle, is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without moving them. It involves physical and chemical changes that alter the structure and composition of rocks at their original location rather than transporting them. Subduction is a geological process involving tectonic plates where one plate moves under another and sinks into the mantle, leading to geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, rather than the physical transport of fragmented rock. Transportation is a broader term generally referring to the movement of sediments but is often used in conjunction with processes like erosion. In this context, erosion is the more precise term as it specifically denotes the movement caused by mechanical forces. Therefore, focusing on how fragmented rock is mobilized by natural forces makes erosion the most accurate term for the process described in the question.