Lateral erosion erodes the banks of the river. This is more common in the middle and lower courses of a river.

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Vertical erosion involves the wearing away and deepening of the river bed. This is mostly by hydraulic action. It is most common in the upper course of the river.

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It becomes more rounded and smaller.

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Hydraulic action

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Abrasion, also known as corrasion, is when boulders and stones wear away the river banks and bed. Angular rocks that have entered the channel recently are useful tools of abrasion because they are more angular. Abrasion is responsible for both lateral and vertical erosion of the river channel. 

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