Weathering-Erosion Flashcards
What is weathering?
Weathering- the breaking down and changing of rocks at or near Earth’s surface
Physical weathering
Occurs when physical forces break rock into smaller pieces WITHOUT changing the mineral composition
Chemical weathering
The transformation of rock into one of more new compounds
Talus
Loose sediments (debris) found at the base of a slope
Abrasion
When the rocks rub on each other creating friction
Wind abrasion
Occurs the most in
- arid (dry) climates
- lack of vegetation
- where sand can blow around
Biological Activity
Plants’ roots growing into cracks of rocks
Burrowing animals
Decaying organisms forming acid
And humans
Oxidation
And example
When oxygen reacts with a substance
Ex: iron + oxygen= rust
Process of carbonation
When rains comes down absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere the hydrogen and carbon dioxide mix creating carbonic acid.
What climate affects the rate of weathering
Temperature
Moisture
Generate climate=physical weathering (frost wedging)
Tropical climate=chemical weathering
Why is chemical weathering slow in arid climate?
Because there isn’t a lot of water and water plays crucial role in chemical weathering
Soil
Complex interaction of several factors
Residual soil
Soil that form on bedrock
Transported soil
The soil that forms in unconsolidated deposits
Mass wasting
The transfer of rock and soil downslope due to gravity (directly caused by gravity)
