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GEOS 13100 > Weathering Sprint > Flashcards

Weathering Sprint Flashcards

omg where is all this dust comign from?!?

1
Q

Physical weathering

A

When solid rock is fragmented by mechanical processes. No change in chemical composition.

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2
Q

Chemical weathering

A

When the minerals in a rock are chemically altered/dissolved.

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3
Q

Relation between physical/chemical weathering

A

Chemical
weathering weakens rocks and makes them more susceptible to physical weathering.
The smaller the pieces produced by physical weathering, the greater the surface area available for chemical weathering

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4
Q

Erosion

A

The process by which particles produced by weathering are dislodged and removed from
their source, usually by means of currents of water or air

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5
Q

4 Main Weathering Factors

A
  1. Properties of parent rock
  2. Climate (rainfall and temperature)
  3. Presence vs absence of soil
  4. Length of exposure
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6
Q

Chemical Weathering on Granite

A

As water penetrates the rock, feldspar, biotite, and magnetite within granite begin to decay/dissolve. Quartz remains, but the overall structure is weakened until it eventually fragments.

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7
Q

Chemical weathering’s effects on silicates

A
  1. Leaches away cations and silica.
  2. Hydrates minerals.
  3. Makes solutions less acidic.
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8
Q

Damp soil weathering

A

Soil keeps water constantly in contact with rock surface, causing it to continuously weather.
Soil is also more acidic than rain, so weathering with acid occurs more quickly.
Plants and bacteria in the soil add even more acid.

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9
Q

Chemical Stability

A

A measure of a substance’s tendency to retain its chemical identity instead of reacting with other substances. Determined by solubility and rate of dissolution.

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10
Q

Solubility

A

How much of a mineral can be dissolved into water before the water becomes saturated. Higher solubility means lower stability.

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11
Q

Rate of Dissolution

A

The amount of a mineral that dissolves into unsaturated water in a given amount of time. Higher rate of dissolution means lower stability.

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12
Q

Zones of Weakness

A

Natural regions of rocks where they are most susceptible to cracking. Can split along foliated parallel cleavage planes, sedimentary bedding planes, etc.

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13
Q

“Massive” rocks

A

Rocks with no natural zones of weakness. Tend to crack along regular, spaced-out fractures instead.

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14
Q

Activities of Organisms

A

Animals can burrow through/crack rocks, while plant roots can split cracks open further.

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15
Q

Frost Wedging

A

Breakage resulting from frozen water expanding within cracks.

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16
Q

Exfoliation

A

Layers of rock peel off from the surface over time. WE DO NOT KNOW WHY.

17
Q

Humus

A

Organic matter in soil

18
Q

Soil

A

Layers of material made from broken down rocks, with more fun stuff added in over time. Easily eroded.

19
Q

Soil inputs

A

Weathered rock, organisms, and dust.

20
Q

5 soil factors

A
  1. Parent material
  2. Climate
  3. Topography
  4. Organisms
  5. Time
21
Q

Soil transformations

A

When materials added to/removed from a soil alter its properties

22
Q

Soil translocations

A

Lateral and vertical movements of materials within soil. Mainly done by water, but also by organisms.

23
Q

Soil profile

A

Composition and appearance of a soil. Consists of up to six horizons.

24
Q

Soil horizon

A

A distinct layer of varying color/texture, visible in vertical sections of exposed soils

25
Q

O-horizon

A

Thin horizon at the top. Loose leaves and organic detritus.

26
Q

A-horizon

A

1-2 m thick at most. Second layer. Darkest layer–contains highest concentration of humus.

27
Q

E-horizon

A

Third layer. Clay and insoluble materials.

28
Q

B-horizon

A

Fourth layer. Sparse organic matter, soluble minerals, iron oxides. Exact minerals affected by climate.

29
Q

C-horizon

A

Fifth layer. Slightly altered bedrock, clay from chemical weathering.

30
Q

R-horizon

A

Sixth layer. Unaltered bedrock.

31
Q

Paleosols

A

Ancient, preserved soils that can provide info about ancient climates.

32
Q

Stream power

A

Product of a stream’s slope and its discharge. Affects how a stream erodes soil/rock.

33
Q

Streambed’s erosion resistance

A

Product of the volume and the particle size of the sediment in the stream channel. Affects how a stream erodes soil/rock.

34
Q

Relation between bedrock erosion and stream power

A

DRAMATIC increase with stream power!

35
Q

Three processes that erode bedrock

A
  1. Abrasion by suspended sediment particles
  2. Drag force from the current
  3. Glacial erosion

GEOS 13100 (8 decks)

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