What's the primary difference between erosion and weathering?

The primary difference between erosion and weathering lies in the movement involved in the processes. Erosion refers to the process by which rocks and soil are removed from one location and transported to another, typically by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice. This movement results in the alteration of landscapes over time as materials are relocated.

Weathering, on the other hand, involves the breaking down of rocks and minerals at their original location through processes such as chemical reactions, freeze-thaw cycles, or biological activity. It does not include the transportation of materials; instead, it focuses on the physical and chemical changes that occur directly in situ, affecting the structure and composition of the material but not moving it away.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in studying coastal processes as well as other geological contexts, as both erosion and weathering significantly shape the environment but do so in fundamentally different ways.