Question

Introduction to Agents of Gradation (3 pages long)

Answer 1

Explanation:

Gradation is the process that changes the surface features of the earth through agents such as gravity, running water, waves, wind, and glaciers. Gradation includes erosion, transportation and deposition of earth materials. Gradational process can be divided into two general types:

a) Degradation, which refers to the wearing down of the land by erosion and transportation, and

b) Aggradation, which refers to the accumulation of eroded materials through deposition.

The combined effect of degradaton and aggradation is to smooth out the land surface by eroding places of high elevation and filling in areas of lower elevation to a point where erosional forces can no longer operate. This point is known as base level.