Weathering Flashcards
What are the 2 types of weathering
Mechanical and Chemical
What is Mechanical weathering
The breakdown of a rock into smaller pieces each retaining the characteristics of the original rock
What are the 4 types of mechanical weathering
Freeze - thaw action
Unloading
Exfoliation
Salt crystallization
What does freeze thaw action need to work
Water, Rocks with cracks or joints and Temp. change
How much larger in % does the ice expand to
10%
What is the debris post freeze thaw action called
scree
Where is freeze thaw action seen in Ireland
West of Ireland
Where is Exfoliation usually occurring
Deserts
What is the high temp range in Exfoliation called
Diurnal range
What happens to the Exfoliation rock with temperature change
Stress fractures occur
What rocks does Exfoliation work best with
Rocks with layers (strata)
How much larger does quartzite expand compare to feldspar in Exfoliation
3x
What shape can Exfoliation rocks cause
Dome shaped
Give a location of Exfoliation rock
Monument valley in Arizona
What is chemical weathering
The decomposition of rocks due to minerals reacting with water and air
