This kind of abrasion is seen in ventifacts, which are rock fragments that have been cut and polished by the sandblasting action of windblown sediments. Deflation is a form of erosion that occurs when loose rock particles are blown away by the wind. This cause bowl-shaped depressions and relatively smooth surfaces of exposed boulders, cobbles, and patches of bedrock. Three ways to keep wind from getting the soil are increase the soil stability and surface roughness, plant and maintain vegetation, and placing barriers perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Precipitation in the form of rain produces the greatest amount of runoff and erosion.
Some rains are highly beneficial with supplying the needs of microorganisms in the soil and crops.
Others cause damage far in excess of any benefits. These damaging rains may come at a rate that is much greater then the benefits that the soil gets out of it. Surface runoff is precipitation that flows over the ground surface and through channels to larger streams. Another part of precipitation infiltrates into the soil and moves laterally to surface drainage. Flood damages in the United States continue to increase each year in spite of large expenditures to reduce them.