What is the geographic term for "wear away"?

• A. Corrode
• B. Decompose
• C. Erode
• D. Decay

Answer: (C)

The term "erode" specifically refers to the process by which soil, rock, and other materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice. This term captures the physical actions that lead to the gradual loss of landforms and landscapes, highlighting a crucial geological process that shapes the environment over time.

In contrast, while "corrode" pertains to the chemical wearing away of materials, typically metals due to reactions with environmental agents, "decompose" refers to the breakdown of organic substances, and "decay" often relates to the decline or deterioration of structures or systems, particularly in biological contexts. These terms do not encompass the broader physical geographic processes implied by erosion, which focuses on the movement and wearing away of earth materials rather than chemical or biological degradation.