Which geological process wears away and transports earthen materials by natural forces?

Erosion is the geological process that specifically involves the wearing away and transportation of earthen materials by natural forces, such as water, wind, ice, and gravity. During erosion, materials like soil, rocks, and sediments are picked up from one location and moved to another, shaping the landscape over time. This process is crucial in forming features such as valleys, canyons, and sediment deposits in rivers.

Weathering, while related to erosion, refers to the breaking down of rocks and minerals at their original location through processes such as physical, chemical, and biological changes. Compaction involves the consolidation of sediments under pressure, leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks, and stratification pertains to the layering of rocks and sediments. Both of these processes are essential in the rock cycle but do not involve the transportation of materials like erosion does.