What is the process called when the banks and beds of a river are worn away?

The process of wearing away the banks and beds of a river is known as river erosion. This occurs as the flowing water exerts force on the river's banks and bed, dislodging soil and rock materials. Erosion can take place through various mechanisms, including hydraulic action, abrasion, and attrition, which each contribute to the overall effect of removing material from the river's channel.

In contrast, deposition refers to the process where sediment carried by the river is dropped or settles as water slows down, leading to the formation of features such as deltas. Transportation describes how sediments are moved by the river, either suspended in the water or rolled along the riverbed. Corrosion, on the other hand, involves the chemical breakdown of minerals in the rocks and sediment, rather than the physical wearing away of the riverbanks and bed. Understanding these processes helps clarify the dynamic nature of river systems in the landscape.