Erdbildung

Erdbildung is a German term that translates to "earth formation" or "earth shaping." It refers to the processes that have shaped the surface of the Earth over geological timescales. These processes are broadly categorized into internal and external forces.

Internal forces, also known as constructive forces, originate from within the Earth's mantle and crust. Plate tectonics, driven by convection currents in the mantle, is a primary example. This movement causes continents to drift, mountains to rise through collisions (orogeny), and volcanic activity to occur. Earthquakes are also a result of these internal stresses.

External forces, or destructive forces, operate on the Earth's surface and are driven by solar energy and gravity. Weathering, the breakdown of rocks and minerals, is a key process. This can be physical, such as frost wedging, or chemical, like acid rain. Erosion then transports the weathered material by agents like wind, water, and ice. Glacial erosion, for instance, carves out valleys and deposits moraines. Deposition occurs when these erosional agents lose energy and drop their transported sediment, leading to the formation of features like deltas, sand dunes, and sedimentary rock layers. Together, these continuous processes of formation and destruction create the diverse landscapes we observe on Earth.