The correct option is 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Explanation
Denudation is a comprehensive term used to describe the wearing away of the Earth's surface. Derived from the Latin word 'denudare' (meaning to uncover or lay bare), it encompasses all exogenic geomorphic processes that degrade the landscape. These processes are driven by solar energy and gravitational forces.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ (in their original place) due to mechanical, chemical, or biological factors. It is the foundational process of denudation.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Mass wasting involves the downslope movement of soil, regolith, and rock under the direct influence of gravity. It facilitates the transfer of weathered material, contributing to the lowering of landforms.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Erosion is the active acquisition and removal of rock debris by dynamic geomorphic agents such as running water, groundwater, glaciers, wind, and waves.
- Statement 4 is Correct: Transportation refers to the movement of eroded material from the source area to a depositional site. It is an integral part of the denudational cycle, as it physically removes material to expose new surfaces.
Key Takeaway
Denudation is the sum of all processes that lower the relief of the land surface, specifically including Weathering, Mass Wasting, Erosion, and Transportation.