Exogenic forces
Also called: External forces · Topic: Geomorphic Processes: Weathering, Mass Movement, Erosion and Soil Formation · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 2 "Shaping of the Earth's Surface"; Class 11, Ch 3 "Interior of the Earth"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Geomorphic Processes"
Meaning
Exogenic forces act at the earth's surface and get their energy from the atmosphere. That energy comes ultimately from the sun. Gravity helps them by pulling material down slopes that tectonic forces created. They work through weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition, and they are mainly land-wearing forces. Endogenic forces keep raising land, so exogenic forces never make it completely flat.
Example
In the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, wind and large daily temperature swings break up rock and shift sand. Both are exogenic forces.
Don't confuse with
- Endogenic forces: these come from the earth's internal heat and build land up. Exogenic forces wear it down.