coasts- weathering and mass movement Flashcards
What is Physical Weathering?
Rock breaks into smaller pieces
Rocks break down into what it is made from. What weathering process is this?
Chemical Weathering
Physical weathering is also known as?
Mechanical
Freeze thaw weathering process?
Water flows into cracks in the rocks. When the temperature hits below 0 degrees, the water freezes and expands. Overtime , due to this happening multiple times the rock will split
Freeze thaw weathering is which weathering? Physical,Biological or Chemical?
Physical
What are the 4 main types of Chemical weathering?
Carbonation, Oxidation, Hydration and Hydrolysis
Carbonation is when?
Rain water reacts with the chemicals in a rock
Oxidation is when?
Water causes rocks with high iron content to rust.
Hydration is when?
Rocks with a high clay content can absorb water but swell and eventually break down
Hydrolysis is when?
Rocks react with water and the minerals break down
What is Biological Weathering?
When it is carried out by living organisms, a mix between Physical and Chemical.
An example of Biological weathering?
Plant roots in cracks. As the tree grows, the roots expand and split the rock.
What is mass movement?
The downhill movement of rocks.
What are the 3 main types of mass movement that occur on coasts?
Rock falls, Rock slides and slumps.
Material loosened by freeze thaw weathering and eventually falls from cliff face. This is what type of mass movement?
Rock fall
What is a rock slide?
When chunks of rocks break away from the cliff and slide down straight.
What is a slump?
When a cliff descends in minutes. Usually due to rain causing top layer to be saturated and too heavy to hold up.
