Erosion, weathering, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the impact of organisms are examples of destructive forces that break down the Earth's surface over time. Erosion is the movement of sediments and soil by forces like wind, water, ice and gravity. Weathering breaks down rocks at or near the Earth's surface through chemical processes like rusting or carbonation, or mechanical processes like abrasion or frost cracking. These destructive forces gradually change the appearance of the Earth's surface features.