What is the term for the erosion that occurs on the sides of a river?

Lateral erosion refers to the process by which a river erodes the sides of its banks. This type of erosion typically occurs in meandering rivers, where the flow of water is concentrated on one side of the river due to the curvature of the channel. As the water flows, it exerts greater force on the outer curve of the bend, leading to the wearing away of the bank in that area. This process can create wider river channels and can contribute significantly to the overall shape and dynamics of the river ecosystem.

Understanding lateral erosion is essential for comprehending how rivers shape their landscape, manage sediment transport, and influence surrounding ecosystems. In contrast, the other types of erosion mentioned—vertical erosion relates to downward movement which deepens the riverbed, longitudinal erosion pertains to the overall lengthening of a river profile, and surface erosion involves the removal of soil and rock from the land surface—do not specifically involve the sides of the river in the way lateral erosion does.