Exogenic Processes
The exogenic processes derive their energy from the atmosphere, determined by the ultimate energy from the sun and also the gradients created by tectonic factors.
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Gravitational force acts upon all earth materials having a sloping surface and tend to produce movement of matter in the downslope direction.
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Force applied per unit area is called stress. Stress is produced in a solid by pushing or pulling. This induces deformation.
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Forces acting along the faces of earth materials are shear stresses (separating forces). This results in angular displacement or slippage of rocks.
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Besides the gravitational stress, earth materials become subjected to molecular stresses that may be caused by a number of factors, amongst which temperature changes, crystallization and melting are the most common.
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As there are different climatic regions on the earth’s surface, the exogenic geomorphic processes vary from region to region. Temperature and precipitation are the two important climatic elements that control various processes.
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All the exogenic geomorphic processes are covered under a general term called denudation. The word ‘denude’ means to strip off or to uncover. Weathering, mass wasting/movements, erosion, and transportation are included in denudation.