This is bizarre.  Water is a "universal solvent," meaning that many substances dissolve in it, because it is a polar, covalent compound.  However, it is far from the "most corrosive/erosive stuff on the planet."  In fact, for most considerations, it is quite innocuous compared to many other substances.  The fact that the earth's surface has been sculpted by it is irrelevant in considering it's corrosive/erosive properties.  That has taken aeons, and it was mostly done by physical, not chemical processes.  Yes, water is the "universal solvent."  But compare it to any strong acid or base for corrosiveness.  Are you thinking of the rusting of iron?  The corrosive agent is not water, which is a catalyst in the process, but oxygen.  Without suspended particles in running water (think sandblasting as an analog), running water would wear down only those things it could chemically dissolve -- and without the assistance of chemically dissolved substances like carbon dioxide to render it acidic, chemical weathering would be even slower than it is.  Even as this chemical weathering takes place, other waters, having basic rather than acidic properties, are depositing mineral.  Try imbibing something that is truly corrosive.  Good grief.  DMc

---- John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote: 
>   No BS. There is nothing in this world it won't dissolve or wear down -
> given sufficient time. Course it may get some help from other physical
> and chemical processes. But sooner or later, it get's it done.
> 
> 
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
> 
> 
> On 9/24/2010 9:38 AM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> > I call BS
> >
> > prove it
> >
> > alistair
> >
> >
> > On 24-Sep-10, at 5:31 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
> >
> > t, yet
> > it is the most corrosive/erossive stuff on the planet.
> >
> >

--
David McNeely