6 Weathering Processes and Landforms

Question 1

What is denudation

Answer 1

Collective name for weathering and erosion of rocks

Question 2

What is erosion

Answer 2

When rocks are broken down and remvoed by stuff like wind,water,ice.

Question 3

Another name for mechanical weathering

Answer 3

Physical weathering

Question 4

What is mechanicaal/physical weathering

Answer 4

Occurs in areas of extreme temps
Rock is physically broken down into smaller pieces
Chemical composition is not altered

Question 5

What is chemical weathering

Answer 5

Wet and humid conditions
Rocks decay or dissolve as their chemical composition is altered

Question 6

What is biological weathering

Answer 6

Breakdown of rock by the actions of plants or animals

Question 7

Factors affecting rate of weathering

Answer 7

-Rock type (Soft/hard minerals)
-Surface area
-Climate
-Vegetation (Vegetation shields)
-Human activity (Pollution=acid rain)

Question 8

4 Mechanical/Physical weathering processes

Answer 8

1.Freeze-Thaw Action
2.Exfoliation
3.Salt crystallisation
4.Pressure Release

Question 9

2 Other names for freeze-thaw action

Answer 9

-Frost action
-Frost shattering

Question 10

Another name for scree

Answer 10

Talus

Question 11

Freeze-Thaw Action location example

Answer 11

Croagh Patrick, Co.Mayo

Question 12

Exfoliation example

Answer 12

Sonoran Desert

Question 13

How much does the ice expand in joints during freeze-thaw action

Answer 13

Approx 9%

Question 14

What is scree/talus

Answer 14

Sharp angular pieces of rock that break away from rock and move down slope due to gravity in Freeze-THaw action

Question 15

Define dirunal temp range

Answer 15

The difference between the highest and lowest temp in a 24hr period. For exfoliation to occur there must be a large dirunal temp range

Question 16

What is exfoliation sometimes referred to as

Answer 16

Onion peeling

Question 17

How does mineral content affect exfoliation

Answer 17

Rocks expand at different rates depending on mineral content

Question 18

Salt crystalliation example

Answer 18

California Coastline

Question 19

Pressure release example

Answer 19

Granite in wicklow mnts

Question 20

Whats another word for salt crystallisation

Answer 20

Haloclasty

Question 21

What is pressure release also known as

Answer 21

Unloading/sheeting

Question 22

How is salt crystallisation identified

Answer 22

Honeucomb pattern on sea walls constructed off granite, sandstone, limestone

Question 23

4 Chemiaccl Weathering processes

Answer 23

1.Carbonation
2.Oxidation
3.Hydration
4.Hydrolysis

Question 24

Carbonation example

Answer 24

Burren, Co.Clare

Question 25

Brief summary of carbonation

Answer 25

Rain falls through sky
Absorbs carbon dioxide
forms a weak carbonic acid
Hits limestone rock + reacts with the calcium carbonate in the rock
Soluble calcium bicarbonate is formed

Question 26

Oxidation example

Answer 26

Colorado Plateau

Question 27

What is oxidation commonly referred to as

Answer 27

Rusting

Question 28

Hydration

Answer 28

Rocks that dont contain water such as gypsumor shale, absorb rain water, expand and become soft, and break apart

Question 29

Hydrolysis example

Answer 29

Cleopatras Needle New York

Question 30

What is hydrolysis

Answer 30

Hydrogen in water reacts with minerals in rock creating a chemical reaction. Forms clay

Question 31

What is biological weathering

Answer 31

Animals/plant roots can widen the joints between rocks allowing water to penetrate further into the rocck

Question 32

2 Distinctive Irish Landscapes formed by Weathering

Answer 32

1.Granite Landscapes
2.Karst Landscapes

Question 33

Granite landscape example

Answer 33

Three Rock Mountain
Leinster Batholith

Question 34

What is a Tor

Answer 34

A large block of rock that has been weathered more slowly than its surroundings

Question 35

Karst landscape surface features

Answer 35

1.Limestone pavement
2.Swallow holes
3.Disappearing stream
4.Dry Valleys
5.Dolines
6.Turloughs