Geomorphic agent
Topic: Geomorphic Processes: Weathering, Mass Movement, Erosion and Soil Formation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Geomorphic Processes"
Meaning
A geomorphic agent is a moving medium that picks up, carries and drops earth material. Agents include running water, groundwater, glaciers, wind, waves and currents. Gravity and slopes (gradients) make them move from higher to lower places. Class 9 calls them "agents of gradation".
Example
The Ganga is a geomorphic agent. It picks up debris in the Himalayas, carries it across north India and drops it as silt on its plains and delta.
Don't confuse with
- Geomorphic process: a process is the force acting on earth material, such as erosion or weathering. The agent is the medium that carries out the work.