What is the term for the gradual wearing away of rock surfaces in coastal environments?

The term for the gradual wearing away of rock surfaces in coastal environments is erosion. Erosion refers to the process by which rock and soil are worn away and removed from their original location, often due to the action of water, wind, or ice. In coastal settings, waves and currents play a significant role in eroding the shoreline, leading to changes in landforms and coastal landscapes over time.

Erosion involves the transport of sediments as well, which can contribute to the reshaping of coastlines. While weathering can also lead to the breakdown of rocks, it primarily refers to the chemical and physical processes that disintegrate and decompose rocks without necessarily moving the material. Deposition, on the other hand, involves the laying down of sediments that have been transported elsewhere and does not describe the wearing away of surfaces. Transport indicates the movement of eroded materials but does not describe the process of wearing away itself. Therefore, erosion is the most accurate term related to the gradual wearing away of rock surfaces in coastal environments.