Which of the following processes is NOT a part of the water cycle?

Erosion is not a part of the water cycle. The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, primarily involves processes that pertain to the movement and transformation of water in the environment. These processes include transpiration, where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere; condensation, where water vapor cools and changes into liquid water, forming clouds; and precipitation, where water falls from clouds back to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

In contrast, erosion refers to the process by which soil, rock, and other surface materials are worn away and transported by various natural forces such as wind, water, and ice. While erosion can be influenced by water, it is a geological process rather than a direct component of the water cycle. This distinction highlights that erosion focuses on the earth's surface changes, rather than the movement and transformation of water itself.