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cavitation (earth science)
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Cavitation (earth Science)
In hydraulics, erosion of rocks caused by the forcing of air into cracks. Cavitation results from the pounding of waves on the coast and the swirling of turbulent river currents, and exerts great pressure, eventually causing rocks to break apart.
The process is particularly common at waterfalls, where the turbulent falling water contains many air bubbles, which burst and send shock waves into the rocks of the river bed and banks. In addition, as water is forced into cracks in the rock, air within the crack is compressed and literally explodes, helping to break down the rock.
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arch (earth science)
attrition
bar (earth science)
bay (earth science)
beach
cave
cavitation (earth science)
coast
coastal cliff
coastal deposition
coastal erosion
coastal protection
corrasion
corrosion
dune
erosion
estuary
fjord
groyne
headland
longshore drift
ria
salt marsh
solution (earth science)
spit
stack (earth science)
storm surge
stump
tide
wave (earth science)
wave-cut platform
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