What typically occurs during the process of erosion?

During the process of erosion, the critical aspect is the transport of sediments away from their source. Erosion involves the wearing away and movement of soil and rock material from one location to another by the action of wind, water, ice, or gravity.

For example, when a river flows over rocks and soil, it can carry away sediments, transporting them downstream. This movement helps shape landscapes, creating features such as valleys and sedimentary deposits. Although the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces can occur during the erosion process, the defining characteristic that distinguishes erosion from other geological processes is this transport of sediments.

In contrast to the other choices, rocks melting into magma is related to geological processes deep within the Earth; thus, it is not pertinent to erosion. The formation of new rocks typically involves processes like lithification rather than erosion.