Types of Erosion

Surface Water

When an area gets a lot of rain, water can flow over land. This runoff water moves rocks, sand, and soil from one place to another. Over time, streams and rivers flowing past rocky banks or mountains can wear away the mountains, carrying pieces of rocks somewhere else. Erosion can lead to landslides and flooding, which changes the landscape as mud and soil moves around. Sometimes, houses and even cities can be covered up in landslides.