The correct answer is 2 and 3 only. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Weathering, mass-wasting, and erosion are collectively referred to as degradational processes because they contribute to the breakdown, movement, and removal of Earth's surface materials. • Erosion does not necessarily require weathering as a precondition; erosion can occur independently, such as when flowing water or wind transports loose particles. • Deposition occurs as a direct consequence of erosion when the transported material settles in a new location due to a decrease in the energy of the transporting medium. • Statement 1 is incorrect because erosion can also act on previously loose or unconsolidated material without requiring prior weathering. • Statements 2 and 3 are correct as they accurately describe the processes of erosion and its outcomes. Related Concepts: • Weathering: It is the process of breaking down rocks and minerals into smaller particles through physical, chemical, or biological means without movement. • Mass-Wasting: It refers to the downslope movement of soil and rock under the influence of gravity, such as landslides, rockfalls, and soil creep. • Erosion: It involves the removal and transportation of surface material by natural agents like water, wind, ice, or gravity. • Deposition: The process by which eroded materials are laid down or settled in new locations, forming features such as deltas, sand dunes, or alluvial plains. • Degradational Processes: These are natural geological processes that lead to the wearing down or destruction of landforms, contributing to landscape evolution over time.