unit: Weathering, Erosion, and Soil Flashcards
what is weathering
the breaking down of rock due to exposure to processes that occur on earths surface
what are 2 types of weathering
mechanical, chemical
what is mechanical weathering?
weathering taking place without changing its chemical composition
what is upward expansion/ exfoliation
rocks are formed deep underground
What is abrasion
when rocks grind and scrape against one another, these rock materials are worn away
what is frost wedging
water between rocks, freezes > cracks rock
What is Biological weathering (animal )
ants, earthworms, rabbits, woodchucks….dig holes in soil > allows air/water to weather it
what is biological weathering( plants)
when lichens, mosses and small plants grow on rucks, they wedge their rootsinto pores and crevices in rock > causes it to crack
what is chemical weathering?
when chemical reactions alter/change the minerals in a rock into different substances
what are 2 examples of chemical weathering
hydrolysis, oxidation
what is oxidation
chemical reaction of oxygen with other substances
what is hydrolysis
chemical weathering by reaction of water
what is a common acid in water?
carbonic acid
What is erosion?
is the removal and transport of materials by natural agents
What the 4 agents of erosion?
rivers/streams, glaciers, wind, wave action
what is deposition
when sediment carried by erosion is stopped and is settled
What is rivers/ streams erosion
where water is moving fast( picks up soil) when water slows down near ocean > sediment is deposited
what is wave action erosion
due to constant movement of water (tides) currents, waves > make cliffs and dunes
what is glacier erosion
big sheets of ice > moves collects trees and objects
what is wind erosion
when wind picks up loose particles
what is mass movement
downward transportation of weathered materials by gravity
what are factors that influence mass movements?
weight,resistance,trigger,water
what is a creep
very slow, slow, steady downhill flow of loose materials
what are 2 types of flows
mudflows, earthflows
what are mudflows
move quickly, soils mixed with water moves downhill
what are earthflows
move slowly entire areas of land move down hill, when oversaturated
what are slides
rapid downslope of movement of earth materials
what are mudslides
when a sheet of rock moves downhill on a sliding surface
slump
mass of material in a landslide slowly moving along a curved surface
what are avalanches?
landslides that occur i mountainous areas
what are rockfalls
rocks are loosened through physical weathering
what is talus pile
refers to rock fragments that have been weathered from a cliff and pulled down by gravity