ASBOG Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Ace Your Geology Licensure!

Water is considered the primary agent of erosion due to its ability to transport sediment and shape landscapes through various processes. This includes surface runoff, river flow, and wave action in coastal environments. Over time, water can wear down rock formations, create valleys, and contribute to the formation of sedimentary deposits.

When it rains, water flows over the land surface, picking up and carrying away soil and rock particles, which leads to the gradual wearing away of landforms. Rivers, streams, and lakes further enhance the erosion process as flowing water exerts mechanical force on the rock and soil. Additionally, water can also cause chemical weathering, which alters the minerals in rocks, further contributing to erosion.

While wind, ice, and gravity also play significant roles in erosion, especially in specific environments (like deserts for wind, glacial regions for ice, and landslides related to gravity), their overall contribution is less dominant when compared to that of water on a global scale. Thus, the acknowledgment of water as the primary agent highlights its widespread influence on geologic processes and landscape evolution.