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In earth science, abrasion is a type of erosion characterized by the scraping and grinding away of a surface by rock fragments. This geological process is also known as corrasion. The rock fragments involved in abrasion can be transported by various agents, including rivers, wind, ice, or the sea.
Commonly, abrasion leads to the formation of striations or grooves on rock surfaces. These striations are often a result of the scratching action caused by the movement of debris carried within glacier ice. As the rock fragments are transported and come into contact with the underlying surface, they contribute to the gradual wear and shaping of the landscape through abrasion.