What happens when lateral erosion occurs in a flowing stream? The stream becomes a lake or pond The stream becomes deeper and more rapid as the erosion makes the stream larger Erosion occurs around the outside of the stream and makes the stream valley wider The stream becomes much longer with fewer bends

## Step 1<br />Lateral erosion is a process that occurs when a stream or river erodes its banks, rather than its bed. This process is different from vertical erosion, which involves the stream eroding its bed, leading to the stream becoming deeper and faster.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Lateral erosion typically occurs in areas where the stream has a wide, flat floodplain or in areas where the stream is flowing over soft, easily eroded material. This process can lead to the stream carving out a wider valley, as the stream erodes the banks on either side.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The other options provided do not accurately describe the effects of lateral erosion. The stream does not become a lake or pond, nor does it become much longer with fewer bends. The stream does not become deeper and more rapid as the erosion makes the stream larger.