Weathering Flashcards
Processes that occur within the surface of the earth such as weathering, erosion, volcanism, deposition, and mass wasting
Exogenic Processes
physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rocks and minerals at or near the earth’s surface
Weathering
agents of weathering
water, ice, acids, salt, plants, animals, temperature
types of weathering
mechanical, chemical, and biological
physical breakdown of a material without altering its chemical composition
mechanical weathering
when water accumulates in the crack and the ice freezes and breaks the rock apart
frost wedging
breakdown of rocks caused by impact and friction
abrasion
rocks have been shaped by blowing wind and sand
wind abrasion
water breaks into pieces from tumbling rocks
water abrasion
a process in which large flat or curved sheets of rock fracture and are detached from the outcrop due to pressure release
exfoliation
roots grow causing penetration into the crack, and break the rock
organic activity
human construction, mining, agricultural deforestation activities
biological activity
occurs in specific minerals which are dissolved in water. ex. Halite (NaCl) and Calcite (CaCO3). the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves are brought about by this chemical reaction
dissolution
rock-forming minerals like amphibole, pyroxene, and feldspar react with water and form different kinds of clay minerals
hydrolysis
causes rock to rust, or break down its layers
oxidation
factors of weathering
R - rock type
R - rock structure
T - topography
T - time
C - climate
moving broken material
erosion
material deposited in a new spot
deposition