Weathering, Erosion And Deposition Flashcards
What is mechanical weathering?
The process that breaks down rocks and other substances at earths surface.
Example of mechanical weathering?
Breaking down of ricks into smaller pieces by forces of nature
What is freezing and thawing?
When water seeps into cracks of rocks then freezes when temperatures drop causing the cracks in the rocks to widen
What is unloading?
Occurs when overlying material such as soil or rocks is removed and confining pressure on the underlying rock is decreased
What is root wedging?
When tree roots wedge their way into cracks of rocks and over time slowly break the rock apart
Actions of animals?
Animals breaking down rocks by digging, tunneling, and scratching
What is abrasion?
The grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind or gravity
What is chemical weathering?
The process that breaks down rocks through chemical changes
What is hydrolysis?
Chemical weathering occurs when water dissolves minerals in a rock
What is oxidation?
Happens when oxygen changes the color of the rocks while making the rock more fragile and easier to break.
What is carbonation?
Happens when carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid
What are living organisms?
Plans and animals interact with rocks and minerals to cause them to break down by using chemicals
What is acid rain?
Happens when any form of precipitation with acidic components like sulfuric or nitric acid falls to the ground from the atmosphere and dissolve rocks
What causes acid rain?
When gases from power stations, factories and cars mix with water it forms acid rain
What are the affects of acid rain?
Can cause rivers and lakes to become acidic killing those organisms
What is erosion?
The process of sediments being moved by wind, water, ice or gravity to a new location
What is wind erosion?
Typically the weakest type of erosion. Where wind removes surface materials
What is water erosion?
Water is the biggest agent of erosion. Occurs in rivers or streams. Water erosion begins as run off
What is glacial erosion?
Typically occurs because sediment is deposited when the glacier melts or retreats backwards
What is deposition?
The process by which sediment settles out of the water or wind that is carrying it and is deposited in a new location
What are factors that affect deposition?
Particle size, shape, density and settling rates
What are ways sediment can be deposited?
Glaciers, water, wind and gravity
What is water deposition?
When sediments build up at the mouth of rivers a delta is formed. When water flows down rocks and carries sediments away
What is wind deposition?
Occurs when smaller pieces of sediment carried by the wind eventually falls to the ground. It can form sand dunes
