Geographical Principles of Pebble Formation

Pebbles primarily originate from aquatic environments such as rivers and beaches. In these places, rocks, through long-term erosion, transportation, and abrasion by water flow, gradually lose their sharp edges, becoming rounded and smooth, eventually forming pebbles. Specifically, this process can be divided into the following stages:

Weathering: Rocks are subjected to physical, chemical, and biological weathering in the natural environment, gradually breaking into smaller pieces.

Transportation: Water flow transports broken rock fragments to rivers, beaches, etc. During this process, friction and collision between rock fragments and between rock fragments and riverbeds/beachbeds are further intensified.

Abrasion: During transportation, rock fragments are continuously eroded by water flow, gravel, etc., gradually losing their sharp edges and forming rounded shapes.

Deposition: When the water flow slows down or encounters obstacles, pebbles and other sediments are deposited, forming pebble layers.