Denudation and Weathering

Question 1

Define Geomorphology

Answer 1

the study of landforms and the shape of the earth

Question 2

Define Orogeny

Answer 2

the building up of mountains

Question 3

Define Denudation

Answer 3

wearing away/exogenous forces

Question 4

Do uplift and denudation processes occur separately?

Answer 4

No, they occur at the same time

Question 5

What are the 5 primary processes of Denudation?

Answer 5

Weathering
Mass Movement
Erosion
Transportation
Deposition

Question 6

Define Weathering

Answer 6

Big rocks turned into small rocks (opposite of lithification) A process that that leads rock at or near the surface to decay or disintegrate (EXOGENOUS)

Question 7

Define Mass Movement

Answer 7

rocks pulled downhill under the force of gravity

Question 8

Define Erosion

Answer 8

Weathered particles being picked up

Question 9

Define Transportation

Answer 9

Weathered particles being moved to a new area

Question 10

Define Deposition

Answer 10

Weathered particles being dropped off in a new location

Question 11

What are 6 things that effect weathering?

Answer 11

Rock composition, structure, climate, water, slope orientation and vegetation

Question 12

What are the 2 types of weathering?

Answer 12

Physical/Mechanical and Chemical

Question 13

Describe Physical/Mechanical Weathering

Answer 13

Breaking down without modifying the composition

Question 14

Describe Chemical Weathering

Answer 14

Breaking down due to chemical alteration in the minerals (water)

Question 15

Examples of Mechanical Weathering

Answer 15

Frost Wedging: water infiltrates the joints in a rock, expands when freezing, forcing the joints apart. Then it melts, sinks lower and freezes, expanding again.
Salt Crystallization: water on surface of the rock evaporates, leaving behind salt, salt crystals forcing particles in the material apart
Pressure-Release Jointing: pressure is released when material is moved from top of a large intrusion. Rock expands, cracks in sheets (thinner on top, thicker on bottom), leaves Exfoliation Dome.
Organic Agents: the impact of living things- tree root in rock cracks, lichen breaking down rock surface.

Question 16

Examples of Chemical Weathering

Answer 16

Oxidation: mixing of oxygen with iron minerals in the rock. The rock “rusts”, leads to red tint. Conversion of iron into rust.
Spheroidal Weathering: water dissolves the cementing agent between particles of rock. Corners removed more quickly from weathering on multiple sides, resulting in rounding over time.
Carbonation and Solution: carbonic acid formed from carbon dioxide dissolved in water or organic material